In the world of football, the Ballon d’Or remains the most prestigious individual accolade a player can earn. Yet, historically and practically, defenders rarely claim this honor. This reality is not merely a reflection of modern football culture or the dominance of attacking legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Instead, it underscores a fundamental truth about the sport: consistent goal-scoring is the most valuable and challenging contribution a player can make. As long as prolific forwards such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane continue to find the back of the net regularly, they will remain the frontrunners for the award, especially with the 2025-26 season still unfolding and plenty of football yet to be played.
The scarcity of defenders winning the Ballon d’Or is a long-standing trend dating back to when France Football first introduced the prize in 1956. While a handful of defenders came close in the early years—like English centre-backs Billy Wright and Duncan Edwards, or Italian Giacinto Facchetti who was part of Inter Milan’s European Cup-winning team in 1965—the number of defenders who have actually won the award is minuscule. The legendary Paolo Maldini, often hailed as one of the greatest defenders in history, received fewer points across his entire career than Zinedine Zidane did in his victorious 1998 campaign. This stark contrast highlights that the award tends to favor those who impact the game offensively.
Only five defensive players have ever been crowned the best player in the world: goalkeeper Lev Yashin in 1963; Franz Beckenbauer in 1972 and 1976; Matthias Sammer in 1996; and Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. Even among these, the German winners mostly played as sweepers, a role somewhat more advanced than traditional defensive positions. Therefore, while there can be debates about players like Rodri, a defensive midfielder who won the Ballon d’Or recently, such exceptions don’t alter the broader pattern.
For a defender to win the Ballon d’Or today, exceptional circumstances would have to align. Defensive excellence is inherently harder to quantify and celebrate than goal-scoring. While fans easily recognize when a striker is in form—since goals are the most visible and decisive metric—defensive contributions are subtler. A team’s low goals-against tally can hint at strong defense, but it doesn’t necessarily single out individual brilliance. However, certain statistics can highlight defensive prowess, such as a centre-back blocking a high number of shots or a goalkeeper making numerous saves. These numbers can illustrate a defender’s crucial role in preventing goals.
Beyond traditional defending, modern defenders can also distinguish themselves through their role in build-up play. Are they effective in carrying the ball forward or distributing it with precision? Do they earn the trust of teammates by frequently handling the ball and initiating attacks? Are they dominant in physical duels? For instance, Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win coincided with his best scoring season, and Sammer’s crucial goals during Euro 1996 helped elevate his candidacy. A defender’s contribution to scoring, especially in critical moments, can significantly enhance their case.
Innovation in playing style is another angle through which defenders might gain recognition. Franz Beckenbauer, for example, revolutionized football by driving possession forward from the back, essentially inventing the modern sweeper role. In today’s game, as set-pieces grow in tactical importance, defenders who dominate dead-ball situations could also make a compelling case. If a defender excels in this emerging aspect of the game, it might warrant greater acknowledgment.
This brings us to Gabriel Magalhaes, a prime example of a defender who meets many of these criteria. Gabriel has been a standout figure in Arsenal’s defense, which is on track to become one of only three Premier League sides to concede fewer than 20 goals in a season. Initially known primarily for his defensive skills, Gabriel has significantly improved his ability to advance the ball from his position on the left side of Arsenal’s backline. His evolution into a more complete defender who contributes both defensively and offensively makes him a unique figure.
Gabriel’s impact on set-pieces is particularly remarkable. Since joining Arsenal in 2020, he has scored 18 Premier League goals from dead-ball situations, outpacing his nearest rival, James Ward-Prowse, who has 14. Among European elite leagues in recent seasons, only