Goalkeepers to have won the Ballon d'Or

We assess the goalkeepers to have won the Ballon d'Or award throughout football history.

As of 2025, only one goalkeeper has been the recipient of the Ballon d'Or:

Lev Yashin (1963)

In 1963, Russian Lev Yashin became the first and to date only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or.

In the 1963 season, Yashin won the Soviet Top League title with Dynamo Moscow, conceding just six goals in 27 matches.

His reputation on the world stage was enhanced following a sensational individual performance in a match between a World XI and England at Wembley staged to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Football Association.

In the 1963 Ballon d'Or voting, Yashin received the most points with Italian Gianni Rivera ranked second and Englishman Jimmy Greaves placing third.

An athletic shot-stopper capable of making inspirational saves, Yashin is remembered as one of the first goalkeepers to be proactive coming off his line and acting as what is now widely recognised as a 'sweeper keeper'.

In 2019, the Yashin Trophy was established to annually crown the world's best goalkeeper at the Ballon d'Or awards.

Yashin's legacy was also celebrated in 2020 when France Football picked an all-star Ballon d'Or Dream Team featuring the Russian in goal.

Lev Yashin was first-class, a real super goalkeeper. He had outstanding agility for such a big guy, he was excellent.

(Gordon Banks, Football365)

Goalkeepers to finish in top three of Ballon d'Or voting

Since Yashin's Ballon d'Or win 1963, five goalkeepers have finished in the top three of the award's voting:

Dino Zoff (1973)

Dino Zoff came close to claiming the Ballon d'Or in 1973, with the legendary Italian goalkeeper coming second in the voting behind Johan Cruyff.

An unflappable presence in goal, Zoff came close to winning the Treble with Juventus in 1973 as the Old Lady secured the Serie A title but lost out in the finals of the European Cup and Coppa Italia.

Ivo Viktor (1976)

A five-time winner of the Czechoslovak Footballer of the Year prize, Ivo Viktor placed third in the Ballon d'Or voting in 1976 with Franz Beckenbauer coming out on top.

Representing Dukla Prague at club level, Viktor won the European Championships with Czechoslovakia in 1976, with the goalkeeper in terrific form against the Netherlands and West Germany in the semis and final respectively.

Oliver Kahn (2001 & 2002)

German icon Oliver Kahn finished on the Ballon d'Or podium two years in a row in 2001 and 2002.

In 2001, Kahn finished in third place behind Raul in second and winner Michael Owen in a year in which the goalkeeper saved three penalties in a UEFA Champions League final shootout success for Bayern Munich against Valencia.

Kahn finished third again in 2002, with the two players who placed ahead of him - Roberto Carlos in second and Ronaldo as the winner - on the opposite team as him in the 2002 World Cup final as Brazil saw off Germany.

Gianluigi Buffon (2006)

Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time, Gianluigi Buffon finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting in 2006.

Buffon was ultimately pipped by international teammate Fabio Cannavaro in the year Italy won the World Cup for the fourth time.

Manuel Neuer (2014)

In the year Manuel Neuer won the World Cup with Germany in Brazil, the Bayern Munich legend placed third in the Ballon d'Or voting.

The sweeper-keeper was in esteemed company with Lionel Messi receiving the second most votes and Cristiano Ronaldo getting his hands on the trophy following Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League success.