Photo Retrospective: Golden Balls from the Past

By: Laurie | December 5th, 2007

Remember when Pavel Nedved had Golden Balls? Yeah, me neither. Golden locks, sure. But I don’t think they have an award for that. As for Golden Balls, though, this photo proves he at least had one.

(And yes, it’s true, I have the maturity level of a twelve-year-old boy. Because I never cease to make myself giggle when I say/write “Golden Balls.” Picture Beavis and/or Butthead and you’ve got me down.)

But back on topic: Do you ever feel like time speeds up for footy players? It’s kind of like dog years: Each page of the calendar uses up a higher percentage of their footballing lives, bringing them that much closer to the post-football period. So ten years ago feels ancient.

Maybe that’s why these photos left me feeling so nostalgic. And a little sad. (Couldn’t possibly be because they make me feel old. Nuh-uh.) Interesting thing, though? Of these ten players, only Zidane has retired.

Here are the Football.fr Ballon d’Or recipients from the last ten years.

1998 – Zinedine Zidane, Juventus
Don’t recognize him? Shave the head and insert it into an Italian chest.
There! Look more familiar now?

1999 – Rivaldo, Barcelona
Yes, he’s still on the pitch, 35 and going strong
at AEK Athens in Greece

2000 – Luis Figo, Real Madrid
Ah, Figo. Also 35, and also still on the pitch, at Inter Milan.
Martha, this one’s for you.

2001 – Michael Owen, Liverpool
See? Brits CAN win this thing.

2002 – Ronaldo, Real Madrid
Ronnie really does have a pair. He got the first in 1997.

2003 – Pavel Nedved, Juventus
Pretty, pretty Pavel. How long do you think he spent styling his hair
to get it to flip and curl just so?
I mean…um…congrats, Pavel!