Best soccer player from the year you were born (1950-2017)

Ademir made quite a run for the Brazilian national team in the 1950 World Cup. The forward scored eight goals in only six games, including a four-goal performance vs. Sweden. He had a total of 18 goals in only nine games during international play for the year.

Zizinho became known to the world with a great showing in the 1950 World Cup. The following season started a seven-year run for club team Bangu in Brazil, with Zizinho scoring 122 goals.

Puskas led his native Hungary to a goal medal in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, scoring four goals over five games. He scored the only goal of the game in both the semifinals and finals.

The Hungarian national team was crowned Central European Champion in 1953, led by Puskas. He scored 10 goals during the tournament, the most of any player.

Argentina didn't participate in the 1954 World Cup, but that didn't stop Di Stefano from having a brilliant year on the pitch. He joined Real Madrid in 1953-54 and scored 27 goals in only 28 games during his first season.

Di Stefano was back at it again for Real Madrid in 1954-55. He scored 25 goals in 32 appearances, helping the team win the league title.

Sir Stanley Matthews won the first ever Ballon d'Or Award in 1956, narrowly beating out Alfredo Di Stefano and Raymond Kopa. He led his club team, Blackpool, to a second-place finish in the Football League.

Di Stefano's performance in 1957 for Real Madrid was perhaps the greatest of his amazing career. Appearing in 43 games for Real Madrid during the 1956-57 season, Di Stefano had 43 goals in 43 games and led the team to its fifth title. He also won the second ever Ballon d'Or.

Pele had an incredible World Cup for Brazil, becoming the youngest player to ever score a hat trick and the youngest player to ever play in a World Cup final at age 17. He won the Silver Ball as the second best player in the tournament and that same year won the Campeonato Paulista with a record 58 goals for Santos, his club team in Brazil.

Di Stefano had yet another brilliant year in 1959. Real Madrid failed to win the La Liga title, but Di Stefano scored 34 goals in 43 games. He won the Ballon d'Or by a 38-point margin.

Santos won its second Campeotano Paulista with Pele leading the way in 1960. He scored 33 games for the season.

Santos' dominance continued with Pele in 1961. The team won its third Campeonato Paulista in four years, with Pele leading the team in scoring.

Brazil won its second consecutive World Cup with the help of Pele's play. Santos had an incredible year led by Pele, as well, winning the Campeonato Paulista, Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup. He scored 48 goals in only 37 appearances.

Pele and Santos had another brilliant 1963 season. The team retained the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup titles. For the year, he scored 51 goals in 36 appearances in official games.

Law scored 46 goals in only 42 appearances for Manchester United in 1963-64. His effort earned him the 1964 Ballon d'Or Award.

Pele never scored more goals for Santos than he did in 1965, netting 64 in 48 games. Santos F.C. was also able to claim the Campeonato Paulista for the sixth time in eight years.

Charlton helped lead England to the 1966 World Cup title, the country's first ever. He won the Golden Ball for the tournament. He also did well for himself while playing for Manchester United during the 1965-66 season. Charlton was awarded the 1966 Ballon d'Or for his efforts.

Albert won the 1967 Ballon d'Or, taking home the Hungarian Player of the Year Award, after scoring 28 goals in 27 appearances for Ferencvarosi TC.

Best led Manchester United to the the European Cup in 1968 and was honored with the Ballon d'Or. He scored 28 goals in 41 appearances during the 1967-68 season.

Rivera was the first Italian-born player to claim the Ballon d'Or after winning the European Cup for AC Milan. The team also won the Intercontinental Cup.

Muller scored 10 goals in the 1970 World Cup for Germany and added 42 goals in only 38 appearances during the 1969-70 season for Bayern Munich. The incredible year earned him the Ballon d'Or.

Cruyff earned his first of three Ballon d'Or Awards in four years in 1971. The Dutch forward scored 27 goals in 37 games for Ajax, his club team.

Beckenbauer won his first Ballon d'Or in 1972, leading West Germany to the European Championship as team captain. The talented defender also won the European Cup with his club team, Bayern Munich.

Cruyff won his second Ballon d'Or in three years, scoring 33 goals in 46 appearances for Ajax. Ajax won its third consecutive European Cup with Cruyff's help.

Cruyff made it three Ballon d'Or Awards in four years in 1974. He led the Netherlands to a second-place finish in the World Cup with three goals and three assists during the tournament. Moving to Barcelona in La Liga in 1974, Cruyff scored 16 goals in 26 appearances.

Blokhin ran away with the Ballon d'Or in 1975, winning the vote by 80 points. He scored 23 goals in 36 appearances for Dynamo Kyiv and helped his team win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Beckenbauer won his second Ballon d'Or in 1976. West Germany made it to the finals of the European Championship, and Beckenbauer also had an excellent season for Bayern Munich.

A talented striker for Borussia Monchengladbach in Bundesliga, Simonsen scored 16 goals in 34 games. The Danish striker helped the team win the UEFA Cup in his first year as a starter.

Argentina won the 1978 World Cup with the help of Kempes, who scored a tournament-leading six goals. The striker also scored 21 goals in only 22 appearances for club team Central.

Keegan won his second Ballon d'Or in as many years in 1979. He scored 17 goals in 35 appearances to help Hamburger SV win the Bundesliga.

After finishing second to Kevin Keegan for the Ballon d'Or in 1979, Rummenigge won the award in 1980. The forward scored 36 goals in 47 games for Bayern Munich.

Zico led Flamengo to the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 1981. The gifted midfielder scored 39 goals for the year.

Zico followed up a great 1981 campaign with arguably an even better 1982. He scored 44 goals in 48 appearances for Flamengo, winning his second national title in Brazil.

Platini's rein of dominance started in 1983 with his first of three consecutive Ballon d'Or Awards. Playing in his first season with Juventus, he scored 28 times in 48 appearances, helping his team win Coppa Italia and finish second in the European Cup.

Platini won his second straight Ballon d'Or, as Juventus had an epic year winning Serie A, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup. He scored 25 goals in 43 appearances.

Platini made it three Ballon d'Or Awards in a row, scoring 29 goals in 48 appearances for Juventus in 1984-85. The team won the European Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

Maradona helped Argentina win the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, scoring five goals with five assists as the team captain. The midfielder also scored 17 goals in 36 appearances for his club team, Napoli. 

Napoli had quite a year with the help of Maradona's great play, winning Serie A and Coppa Italia. He scored 17 goals in 41 appearances in 1986-87.

Van Basten won his first Ballon d'Or Award in 1988, leading Netherlands to the UEFA European Championship. He scored five goals in the tournament.

Van Basten was an elite scorer for Milan in 1988-89, scoring 33 goals in 47 appearances. He won his second Ballon d'Or, as Milan was able to win the European Cup, European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

The captain of the 1990 World Cup champion West German squad, Matthaus scored four goals in the tournament. The midfielder also scored 13 goals in 29 games for Internazionale in Serie A.

Matthaus had a spectacular season for Internazionale, scoring 23 goals in 46 appearances. The team won the UEFA Cup, and Matthaus was named FIFA World Player of the Year.

Van Basten won his third Ballon d'Or in 1992. He led the Netherlands to the semifinals of UEFA Euro and also scored 29 goals in 38 appearances for Milan. The team had a great year, winning Supercoppa Italiana and Serie A.

Baggio had a brilliant year for Juventus in 1992-93, scoring 30 goals in 43 appearances. The team won the UEFA Cup with the help of the forward, and Baggio won the Ballon d'Or.

Romario led Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994 and won the Golden Ball for his great play. He scored 10 goals in 10 international appearances for the year. He also had an amazing year with Barcelona, scoring 32 goals in 47 appearances

Weah won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995 for his play with Paris Saint-Germain. The team won the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue in Weah's final season with the team.

Ronaldo's years of dominance were merely just getting started in 1996. He helped Brazil to the Olympic bronze medal and led his club team, PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, to the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruijff-schaal before moving on to Barcelona the following year. He finished just one point behind Matthias Sammer in the Ballon d'Or voting but still won the FIFA World Player of the Year. 

There was no doubt about the Ballon d'Or winner in 1997, with Ronaldo winning the award by 154 points. Brazil won Copa America, and Ronaldo also led Barcelona to the Copa del Rey and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Zidane made his first World Cup a memorable one as France won. The fiery midfielder scored two goals in the World Cup final. His club team, Juventus, also won Serie A in 1997-98.

Rivaldo won the Ballon d'Or in 1999, helping lead Brazil to victory in Copa America as the tournament's leading scorer. Barcelona, his club team, also won Spanish La Liga.

France followed up the 1998 World Cup win by claiming the UEFA European Championship in 2000. Zidane was named Player of the Tournament and FIFA World Player of the Year.

The 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year, Figo had a great first season with Real Madrid. The team won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, and Figo contributed 14 goals in 49 appearances.

Ronaldo won his first Ballon d'Or in five years after scoring eight goals in the World Cup, as Brazil emerged as tournament champion. He also won his third FIFA World Player of the Year.

Zidane claimed his third FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 2003 after another great year with Team France. He also helped Real Madrid win La Liga.

Ronaldinho was a breakout star in 2004, winning FIFA World Player of the Year. He scored 22 goals in 45 appearances in his first season with Barcelona in 2003-04.

Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or Award in 2005, helping Brazil win the FIFA Confederations Cup. He also scored 13 goals in 42 appearances for Barcelona en route to the team winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.

Cannavaro won both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006 after helping lead Italy to a World Cup trophy. The 2005-06 season also marked his last in Serie A before moving on to La Liga in Spain.

Kaka showed off his incredible talent with Milan in 2006-07, scoring 18 goals in 48 games. The team won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, as Kaka was named FIFA World Player of the Year.

Ronaldo's ascent with Manchester United peaked in 2007-08, as he scored 42 goals in only 49 appearances to win his first Ballon d'Or. Man U won both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League as a result of Ronaldo's incredible goal scoring.

Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009 while playing for Barcelona. He scored 38 goals in 51 appearances, as the team claimed the UEFA Champions League title.

Messi won his second consecutive Ballon d'Or in 2010, scoring 47 goals in 53 games for Barcelona. Barcelona won La Liga for the second straight year and also won the Spanish Super Cup.

Messi won his third straight Ballon d'Or after another great year with Barcelona. He scored 53 goals in 55 appearances, as the team won La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Messi won his fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or in 2012, becoming the first player to win the award four times. He scored an amazing 73 games in 60 appearances for Barcelona.

Ronaldo halted Lionel Messi's streak by winning the Ballon d'Or in 2013, his second award win. He scored 55 goals in 55 appearances for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo won his third Ballon d'Or in 2014, joining Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Michel Platini and Lionel Messi as just the fifth player to do so. He scored 51 goals in 47 appearances for Real Madrid. He also gutted out the 2014 World Cup while playing through injuries.

Messi became the first player to win five Ballon d'Or awards in 2015. He scored 58 times in 57 appearances for Barcelona, as the team won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Ronaldo returned to win his fourth Ballon d'Or, joining Lionel Messi as the only two players to win four. He led Portugal to the UEFA European Championship and also won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid. He scored 51 goals in 48 appearances for the season.

Ronaldo became the second player to win five Ballon d'Or Awards in 2017 with another unbelievable year for Real Madrid. He scored 42 times in 46 appearances, as the team won the Spanish Super Cup and second straight UEFA Champions League.