Who Won the Ballon d'Or 2000? The Story Behind the Triumph

The Ballon d'Or has always been one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, and when you think of it, the year 2000 stands out as a memorable one. Who won the Ballon d'Or that year? Well, brace yourself – it was none other than Luís Figo. You probably know him, right? The dazzling Portuguese winger who had the world at his feet. But let me tell you, his victory that year wasn't as straightforward as you might think.

The Rise of Luís Figo: A Star in the Making

Honestly, Figo’s Ballon d'Or win wasn’t a complete shocker, but it wasn’t a given either. Let me take you back a bit. Figo’s career had already been impressive before 2000. He had made a name for himself with Sporting Lisbon, and then, of course, his move to Barcelona catapulted him into global stardom. What’s crazy is that he had already won the 1999 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, but the Ballon d'Or was the true testament to his brilliance.

The Catalan Magic: Figo at Barcelona

In 2000, Figo was playing at the peak of his powers at Barcelona. He wasn’t just a winger; he was an absolute game-changer. His dribbling, vision, and ability to score from wide positions made him almost impossible to stop. I remember watching him back then and thinking, "This guy is something else." Figo wasn’t just about creating chances for others – he scored some breathtaking goals himself. His style, his flair, and his passion made him a fan favorite.

2000 Ballon d'Or: The Key Moments

Okay, let’s talk about what actually earned Figo the Ballon d'Or. It wasn’t just about playing well for his club, but also about leading Portugal to the Euro 2000 semifinals. Yes, that tournament was huge, and Figo was a key player. His performances in the European Championship that year were spectacular. Portugal may not have won it, but Figo’s displays on the field had everyone talking. That year, he managed to edge out Zinedine Zidane and Rivaldo, both of whom were also contenders.

A Controversial Transfer: The Real Madrid Move

Now, here’s the thing that stirred up a lot of emotions around Figo’s win – his controversial transfer to Real Madrid. It was still fresh in everyone’s mind, and not everyone was happy about it. Barcelona fans were heartbroken, and it created a huge rivalry between the two clubs. But despite the backlash, Figo's skill on the field remained undeniable. Even my friend Dave, a staunch Barça supporter, admitted that Figo’s performances were impossible to ignore. That transfer became one of the most significant moves in football history, but that’s a whole other story.

The Impact of Figo's Win on Football

Figo’s Ballon d'Or victory in 2000 was more than just an individual achievement. It was a turning point in football. His win opened the door for a new era of players who would dominate the award in the coming years. We started to see a shift in how the Ballon d'Or was awarded, as players from outside the traditional powerhouses began to emerge more frequently.

What This Victory Meant for Portuguese Football

Let me tell you, Figo’s win wasn’t just a milestone for him personally, but it was huge for Portuguese football. Portugal hadn’t had a player win the Ballon d’Or since Eusebio, back in the 1960s. Figo’s success showed the world that Portugal was a force to be reckoned with. It sparked hope for future generations of players, and it gave them someone to look up to. Heck, I remember telling my cousin back then that "if Figo can win it, anyone can!" – and he’s probably still chasing that dream, haha!

Controversy and Doubts: Was Figo Truly the Best?

Okay, I have to be honest here – not everyone agreed that Figo deserved the Ballon d'Or in 2000. Some thought Rivaldo, who had a stellar year with Barcelona, should’ve won instead. Others believed Zidane, who had been key for Juventus, was more deserving. I, personally, went back and forth on this. At first, I wasn’t sure Figo had done enough to beat these two legends, but looking back, it’s clear that his performances – particularly in Euro 2000 – put him on a different level. Still, I can see why some fans feel a bit conflicted about it.

Final Thoughts: A Historic Ballon d'Or

So, to wrap this up, Figo’s 2000 Ballon d'Or victory remains one of the most interesting and talked-about moments in football history. It wasn’t just about being the best player in the world that year – it was about the way Figo changed the game and the politics around football clubs. His controversial move to Real Madrid made headlines, but his talent on the field was undeniable.

For me, Figo’s win always reminds me of how football can surprise us. It’s not just about the numbers, the goals, or the stats – it’s about the magic you bring to the game. And Figo certainly had that.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.