Ballon d'Or Allan Simonsen

Allan Simonsen is the only Borussia Mönchengladbach player and the only Danish footballer to win the "Ballon d'Or" (French for "Golden Ball") in 1977. The "Ballon d'Or" has been awarded to the best footballer of the calendar year by the French football magazine "France Football" since 1956. Originally, this election was only for European footballers from European clubs, but since 2007 all players worldwide can be elected. Compared to the election for the World Footballer of the Year conducted by the world football association FIFA, the "Ballon d'Or" is considered the more prestigious award.
Thanks to his outstanding performances, the small, quick-as-an-arrow Dane Allan Simonsen wins the election in December 1977. With a total of 74 points, he narrowly beats England's Kevin Keegan (71 points, Hamburger SV) and France's Michel Platini (70 points, AS Nancy).