The individual football awards highlight a player's personal excellence, dedication and outstanding work throughout their footballing career. In comparison to standard football awards, the super ballon dor is a different level entirely, having been the result of a team of football critics from France Football, aiming to reward the best footballer of the past thirty years. That accolade was earned by Alfredo Di Stéfano in 1989, the first and only player to receive the honor.
His last vote, which saw him edge the likes of fellow greats Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini, was in part recognition of his exploits for Real Madrid, when he helped them secure five straight European Cup titles from 1956-60, and when he won two regular Ballon d'Or trophies himself. What makes the accolade such a fascinating one is that it's not awarded annually, but on just one occasion. And even more than 50 years on football fans still discuss the award's significance and speculate if it will ever be awarded again, but there has to be a second winner in the books - though he remains unknown to this day.
