The England international was the winner of the inaugural European Footballer of the Year award, which became the Ballon d'Or, back in 1956…
In an excerpt from The Soccer 100 ahead of the Ballon d'Or ceremony, The Athletic profiles English football legend Stanley Matthews. As the inaugural recipient of the Ballon d'Or in 1956, Matthews enjoyed an unprecedented professional career spanning from 1930 to 1965 with Stoke City and Blackpool, earning 54 caps for England.
Known as "The Wizard of Dribble," Matthews revolutionized wing play by actively taking on defenders and serving as a creator rather than a finisher. The tribute details his peak achievements, including the famous 1953 FA Cup final victory with Blackpool and his career longevity that saw him play top-flight football until age 50.
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