The 1974 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 the Dutch striker Johan Cruyff on 31 December 1974.[1] There were 26 voters, from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East Germany, England, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Soviet Union, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, West Germany and Yugoslavia.[2] Cruyff became the first footballer to earn the award three times, following up from his wins in 1971 and 1973. French playmaker Michel Platini and Dutch compatriot Marco van Basten also won the Ballon d'Or three times after him.[3]
| 1974 Ballon d'Or | |
|---|---|
 1974 Ballon d'Or winner Johan Cruyff | |
| Date | 31 December 1974 |
| Presented by | France Football |
| Highlights | |
| Won by |  Johan Cruyff (3rd award) |
| Website | francefootball.fr/ballon-d-or |
Rankings edit
References edit
- ^ "Palmarès Ballon d'Or - 1974 - Johan Cruyff". France Football. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1974". RSSSF. 1 May 2005. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or")". RSSSF. 21 January 2011. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2015.