1997 Ballon d'Or

The 1997 Ballon d'Or, given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, was awarded to Ronaldo on 23 December 1997. The Brazilian became the youngest winner of the award, at 21 years old.

Rankings
Additionally, fourteen players were nominated but received no votes: Sonny Anderson, Enrico Chiesa, Hernán Crespo, Iván de la Peña, Robbie Fowler, Thomas Häßler, Thomas Helmer, Filippo Inzaghi, Gianluca Pagliuca, Robert Pires, Karl-Heinz Riedle, Sergi, Davor Šuker and Ian Wright.