My TOP 10 Ballon d'Or 1995

This is my ranking, my opinion on the Ballon d'Or of the year 1995. This ranking is based on the calendar year, not the season. What counts for this ranking is the player's regularity over the calendar year, the number of matches played, the ability to raise his level in big games, statistics (goals, assists, clean sheets, goals conceded, etc.) and trophies won (collective and individual).

In 1995, Patrick Kluivert delivered a sensational calendar year, showcasing his technical brilliance, composure, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. As a striker, he combined agility, precision, and an instinctive goal-scoring ability, making him an indispensable figure for Ajax and the Dutch national team. Kluivert’s performances in the Eredivisie and European competitions were crucial in Ajax’s campaign, where his ability to unlock defenses and deliver decisive goals made him one of the most exciting young talents in world football. His presence in attack was instrumental in Ajax’s pursuit of silverware, and one of the defining moments of his year came in the 1994-95 UEFA Champions League Final, where he scored the winning goal against AC Milan, securing Ajax’s fourth European Cup title. His late strike, a composed finish past Sebastiano Rossi, cemented his place in history as the youngest player to score in a Champions League final, and his contribution in attack, alongside players like Jari Litmanen and Marc Overmars, was fundamental in Ajax’s dominant run. His achievements in 1995 set the stage for an illustrious career that would see him become one of the most prolific Dutch forwards of his generation.

In 1995, Jürgen Klinsmann delivered a spectacular calendar year, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess, leadership, and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. As a striker, he combined agility, precision, and an instinctive finishing ability, making him an indispensable figure for Tottenham Hotspur and the German national team. Klinsmann’s performances in the Premier League were crucial in Spurs’ campaign, where his ability to lead the attack and deliver decisive goals made him one of the most feared forwards in English football. His presence in attack was instrumental in Tottenham’s success, and one of the defining moments of his year came as he finished the season with 30 goals in all competitions, forming a formidable strike partnership with Teddy Sheringham. His ability to score in key matches—including a late winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final—made him a cornerstone of Gerry Francis’ squad. His impact was so profound that he was named Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, recognizing his brilliance in England.

In 1995, Gianfranco Zola delivered a mesmerizing calendar year, showcasing his technical brilliance, vision, and ability to dictate attacking play with elegance and precision. As an attacking midfielder and forward, he combined creativity, flair, and an instinctive ability to unlock defenses, making him an indispensable figure for Parma. Zola’s performances in Serie A and European competitions were crucial in Parma’s campaign, where his ability to orchestrate play and deliver decisive goals made him one of the most exciting players in world football. His presence in attack was instrumental in Parma’s pursuit of silverware, and one of the defining moments of his year came in the 1994-95 UEFA Cup, where he played a vital role in Parma’s triumph, helping the club secure the prestigious European title. His contribution in attack, alongside players like Faustino Asprilla and Hristo Stoichkov, was fundamental in Parma’s dominant run, and his ability to score in key matches and dictate attacking sequences made him a cornerstone of Nevio Scala’s squad.

In 1995, Matthias Sammer delivered a commanding calendar year, demonstrating his defensive excellence, tactical awareness, and ability to control matches with his presence. As a sweeper and defensive midfielder, he combined intelligence, composure, and an exceptional ability to read the game, making him a vital figure for Borussia Dortmund. Sammer’s performances in the Bundesliga and European competitions were instrumental in Dortmund’s campaign, where his ability to disrupt opposition attacks and initiate play from deep made him one of the most complete players in world football. His influence in defense was crucial in Dortmund’s pursuit of success, and one of the defining moments of his year came in the 1994-95 Bundesliga season, where he played a key role in Dortmund’s triumph, helping the club secure the German league title. His contribution in defense, alongside players like Jürgen Kohler and Stefan Reuter, was essential in Dortmund’s dominant run, and his leadership on the pitch made him a cornerstone of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s squad.

As an attacking midfielder, he showcased his technical elegance, vision, and leadership, making him an indispensable figure for Uruguay and River Plate. His performances in the Argentine Primera División were crucial in River Plate’s campaign, where his ability to dictate play and deliver decisive goals made him one of the most admired players in South American football. However, his crowning achievement of the year came in July 1995, when he led Uruguay to victory in the Copa América, securing the nation’s 14th continental title. His presence in midfield was instrumental in Uruguay’s success, and his ability to control matches with composure and intelligence made him a cornerstone of Héctor Núñez’s squad. Francescoli’s leadership and attacking contributions were vital in the final against Brazil, where Uruguay triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. His performances throughout 1995 reinforced his legacy as one of the finest South American footballers of his era.

In 1995, Paolo Maldini delivered a commanding calendar year, showcasing his defensive excellence, tactical intelligence, and ability to control matches with composure and precision. As a left-back and center-back, he combined elegance, physicality, and an innate ability to read the game, making him an indispensable figure for AC Milan. Maldini’s performances in Serie A and European competitions were crucial in Milan’s campaign, where his ability to neutralize opposition attacks and provide stability at the back made him one of the most complete defenders in world football. His presence in defense was instrumental in Milan’s pursuit of silverware, and one of the defining moments of his year came in the 1994-95 UEFA Champions League, where he played a vital role in Milan’s run to the final. His contribution in defense, alongside players like Franco Baresi and Alessandro Costacurta, was fundamental in Milan’s strong European campaign, and his ability to lead by example made him a cornerstone of Fabio Capello’s squad.

In 1995, Alan Shearer delivered a phenomenal calendar year, showcasing his lethal finishing, physical presence, and ability to dominate the opposition with his goal-scoring prowess. As a striker, he combined power, precision, and an instinctive ability to find the back of the net, making him an indispensable figure for Blackburn Rovers and the England national team. Shearer’s performances in the Premier League were pivotal in Blackburn’s campaign, where his ability to lead the attack and deliver decisive goals made him one of the most feared forwards in world football. His presence in attack was instrumental in Blackburn’s pursuit of domestic glory, and one of the defining moments of his year came as he finished the 1994-95 season as the league’s top scorer with 34 goals, securing the Premier League title for Blackburn in one of the most dramatic seasons in English football history. His contribution in attack, alongside players like Chris Sutton and Tim Sherwood, was fundamental in Blackburn’s triumph, and his ability to score in key matches made him a cornerstone of Kenny Dalglish’s squad.

In 1995, George Weah was at the peak of his powers with Paris Saint-Germain, delivering a spectacular calendar year that cemented his status as one of the best forwards in world football. His explosive pace, technical brilliance, and ability to score in crucial moments made him the focal point of PSG’s attack. Under Luis Fernandez, Weah thrived in both domestic and European competitions, playing a key role in PSG’s Ligue 1 campaign and their deep run in the UEFA Champions League. One of his most memorable achievements in 1995 was finishing as the top scorer of the Champions League, netting eight goals in the tournament. His performances included stunning strikes against Bayern Munich and Barcelona, showcasing his ability to shine against Europe’s elite. Despite PSG’s elimination in the semifinals against AC Milan, Weah’s individual brilliance was undeniable, and his contributions in Europe played a significant role in him winning the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first African player to receive the prestigious award. On the domestic front, Weah helped PSG secure the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue, further solidifying his legacy at the club. His ability to combine power, finesse, and intelligence made him a nightmare for defenders, and his impact on French football was immense.

In 1995, Ronaldo Nazário delivered a sensational calendar year, showcasing his explosive pace, dazzling dribbling, and clinical finishing that made him one of the most unstoppable forwards in world football. As a striker, he combined raw power, technical brilliance, and an instinctive goal-scoring ability, making him an indispensable figure for PSV Eindhoven. Ronaldo’s performances in Eredivisie were pivotal in PSV’s campaign, where his ability to dismantle defenses and deliver decisive goals made him a global sensation. His presence in attack was instrumental in PSV’s pursuit of success, and one of the defining moments of his year came as he finished the 1994-95 season as the league’s top scorer with 30 goals. His contribution in attack, alongside players like Luc Nilis, was fundamental in PSV’s strong domestic run, and his ability to score breathtaking solo goals made him a cornerstone of the squad. Ronaldo’s performances throughout 1995 also extended to the international stage, where he was a key figure in Brazil’s Copa América campaign. His technical ability and attacking contributions helped Brazil reach the final, where they finished as runners-up to Uruguay.

In 1995, Jari Litmanen delivered a phenomenal calendar year, showcasing his technical brilliance, vision, and ability to dictate attacking play with precision and intelligence. As an attacking midfielder and second striker, he combined creativity, composure, and an instinctive ability to influence matches, making him an indispensable figure for Ajax. Litmanen’s performances in the Eredivisie and European competitions were crucial in Ajax’s campaign, where his ability to orchestrate play and deliver decisive goals made him one of the most complete players in world football. His presence in attack was instrumental in Ajax’s pursuit of silverware, and one of the defining moments of his year came in the 1994-95 UEFA Champions League, where he played a vital role in Ajax’s triumph, helping the club secure its fourth European Cup title. His contribution in attack, alongside players like Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars, was fundamental in Ajax’s dominant run, and his ability to score in key matches—including crucial goals in the knockout stages—made him a cornerstone of Louis van Gaal’s squad. Litmanen’s performances throughout 1995 also extended to the international stage, where he was a key figure in Finland’s national team. His technical ability and attacking contributions helped Finland remain competitive, further cementing his status as the country’s greatest footballer. For me, he was the best player in the world that year, as he combined goal-scoring prowess with playmaking excellence, influencing games in a way few players could. His ability to dominate both club and international football in 1995 was unmatched, and his achievements were rightfully recognized when he finished as Ajax’s top scorer and was named Finland’s Footballer of the Year.