In football, there is no greater individual prize than the Ballon d’Or. Some players even appear to be more keen on winning that award than even the biggest trophies.

England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, for example, once claimed he’d rather win the Ballon d’Or than the World Cup. Perhaps that explains why he isn’t part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans with the Three Lions this summer.

Lionel Messi has won the award more times than anyone else, lifting it eight times across his career. Cristiano Ronaldo ranks second, having been crowned the world’s best player on five separate occasions. However, creators of the Ballon d’Or, France Football, published an internationalised reevaluation of the awards in 2016, in which they claimed that five players should have won the award but did not.

This is because up until 1995, only European players were eligible to win the award. They admitted that 12 out of the 39 Ballons d’Or presented during this time period would have been awarded to South American players.

Although they did not officially retract the award from the original recipients, they did ‘retrospectively recognise’ five new men as worthy winners – dubbing them as Le nouveau palmares (the new winners). As such, one football icon would have been given the prize on seven occasions, taking him above Ronaldo in the overall rankings

Pele – Seven ‘Retrospective’ Ballon d’Or Wins

For many, Pele is the best footballer of all time. Modern fans will claim Messi is better, and some may even argue for Ronaldo, while Maradona also belongs in the conversation. Regardless, the Brazilian legend – who won the World Cup on three occasions – is one of the all-time greats.

And so it’s an obvious blip for France Football that they never recognised him as the best footballer on the planet. Had the award been extended to South American players soon, they admitted that Pele would have won it on seven different occasions.

Two of those wins, in 1958 and 1970, were when he helped lead his nation to World Cup glory. In those years, the prize instead went to France’s Raymond Kopa and Germany’s Gerd Muller. It’s worth noting that Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have won the prize, but would have lost out to Pele in 1963.

Garrincha – One ‘Retrospective’ Ballon d’Or Win

Although Pele dominated that era, he wasn’t the only legendary Brazilian figure of the time. It goes to show just how good Garrincha was that – in the eyes of France Football – he would have put an end to his brilliant teammates’ Ballon d’Or dominance.

Indeed, Garrincha was ‘retrospectively’ named the best player on the planet in 1962, having shone at the World Cup, scoring in the quarters and the semis as Brazil were crowned world champions. He finished joint top scorer with four goals at the tournament, but the actual Ballon d’Or went to Josef Masopust, who had reached the final with Czechoslovakia, scoring in the 3-1 loss to Brazil.

Mario Kempes – One ‘Retrospective’ Ballon d’Or Win

After Pele/Muller won in 1970, it took eight years until France Football accepted that there should have been a different winner. This time, England’s Kevin Keegan could perhaps count himself lucky as Mario Kempes likely would have claimed the Ballon d’Or ahead of him, had he been eligible.

The Argentine was astonishingly good at the 1978 World Cup, winning the competition, as well as the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball for being both the top scorer and the best player. Having shone on the biggest stage of all that year, few could argue with the belated call to suggest Kempes really was the best player in the world at that time. It’s worth noting that he also won the Copa del Rey with Valencia that year and was the top scorer in Spanish football.

Diego Maradona – Two ‘Retrospective’ Ballon d’Or Wins

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It’s no shock to see Diego Maradona’s name pop up. If anything, it’s a surprise that France Football decided that he should have won the award on only two occasions.

The first of those came in 1986 when he dragged Argentina to World Cup glory with one of the most iconic tournament displays ever seen. USSR striker Igor Belanov claimed the award in 1986 instead, having scored four times and claimed six assists at the World Cup.

The second came in 1990, after that spectacular season in which he delivered a Serie A title for Napoli. In that year, German legend Lothar Matthaus scooped the Ballon d’Or, having captained his nation to World Cup success.

Romario – One ‘Retrospective’ Ballon d’Or Win

With the Ballon d’Or opened up to non-European players from 1995 onwards, the final ‘retrospective’ award was given to Romario. Once again, his performances in a World Cup year played a key role in the decision.

The Brazilian was electric in 1994, as his nation won the tournament, while he took home the Golden Ball as the most valuable player. At the time, Romario was very much the best striker on the planet, and he still regards himself among the six greatest footballers of all time. Not everyone will agree there, but he certainly would have been a deserving Ballon d’Or recipient in 1994.

Tottenham Hotspur are in contact over a deal to sign unhappy Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, according to TEAMtalk.

Tottenham clearly mean business in the upcoming summer transfer window, which officially opens on June 15, with defence a clear priority.

Spurs have completed the signing of Premier League and Champions League winner Andy Robertson on a free transfer, with Marcos Senesi set to follow on a similar deal imminently after he left Bournemouth following the expiry of his contract.

The north Londoners are also working on a deal to sign another Premier League centre-back in Jan Paul van Hecke, with the player agreeing personal terms to join Tottenham and only wanting them, according to reports in his homeland.

Spurs have already had two bids rejected for the Netherlands international, but GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs claims that they plan to lodge a third bid, with sources close to a deal believing an agreement is reached.

Should Tottenham land all three, then attentions will turn to the other end of the pitch where they look to need reinforcements following the exit of Randal Kolo Muani following the end of his loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain.

Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert could both be out until 2027, or just before, leaving Roberto De Zerbi short of attacking options.

Tottenham Informed of Cody Gakpo Developments

One player Tottenham are in talks over a deal for is Cody Gakpo of Liverpool, according to TEAMtalk.

The Netherlands international was one of many Reds players whose performances this season declined following a Premier League title-winning 2024-25 campaign.

Gakpo is now said to be concerned about his role in the starting XI moving forward following the dismissal of Arne Slot, with talk that Rio Ngumoha could be preferred ahead of him, amid confirmed interest from Bayern Munich in the 17-year-old.

However, the club is not actively looking to sell their £250,000-a-week player, although he also isn’t considered untouchable should a big offer arrive.

Gakpo would be in demand if he got the green light to leave Anfield, with Tottenham and Aston Villa both being informed about developments over the forward’s future, with further interest from AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Besiktas and Fenerbahce.

Tottenham Working on Savinho Transfer

Gakpo isn’t the only forward and left-sided player Tottenham are looking at this summer, with Fabrizio Romano claiming the club are working on and making progress in their bid to sign Savinho from Manchester City.

Spurs wanted to sign the Brazilian 12 months ago, before he ended up staying at the Etihad. Now they are looking to seal the signing, with a separate report from Italy suggesting the 22-year-old has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract.

Tottenham still need to find a club-to-club agreement with City to get a deal over the line.

The north Londoners could look at signing a new centre-forward too, with doubts raised over the futures of Richarlison and Dominic Solanke in recent weeks.

Should one of those two leave, Spurs would likely need another centre-forward option to come in for De Zerbi.

There were major fears after former Tottenham and Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine on Sunday evening. Thankfully, the player has now confirmed that he is ‘doing well’ as he recovers.

Five years ago, during a Euro 2020 match on 12 June 2021, the 34-year-old

collapsed on the pitch against Finland after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was given CPR and was later fitted with an ICD. He returned to the sport inside a year and has since played for Brentford, Man Utd, and is currently with VfL Wolfsburg.

For the first time since that original incident, Eriksen then fell to the ground clutching his heart during the second half of Denmark’s game against Ukraine on 7 June. The match was called off in the 65th minute, with the midfielder rushed off the pitch and taken to hospital.

Eriksen Speaks Out After Denmark Pitch Collapse

Shortly afterwards, the Danish Federation were able to confirm that Eriksen was ‘conscious and doing well under the circumstances’. The player has now provided an update on his health, issuing a statement from his official social media account:

Unclear if Erkisen Plans to Retire With One Year Left on Wolfsburg Contract

After the scary moment, there have been plenty of calls for the midfielder to call it quits on his career. It remains to be seen if the 34-year-old will now retire, but he has one more year left on his contract at Wolfsburg and did not directly comment on the matter during his statement.

Teammates certainly won’t want to witness such potentially traumatic scenes again, and the Danish FA have even announced that special measures have been put in place to make sure the squad feel supported. Danish Football Association director Peter Moller confirmed:

“We have made sure that no one travels home alone. They either travel home with parents, family or with each other as a group.

“I also know that Brian [Riemer] will be calling each player in the coming days and asking how they are doing and if they need anything.”

Having failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Denmark aren’t in action again until September 24, when they face Norway in the Nations League. It’s unclear if Eriksen has any chance of being involved.