The Controversial Crown: Unpacking The 2000 Ballon D'Or Award And Figo's Historic Win Over Zidane

The 2000 Ballon d'Or remains one of the most debated and politically charged individual awards in football history, a decision that, even as of late 2025, continues to fuel heated discussions among fans and pundits. The award, given to Portuguese superstar Luís Figo, was not just a recognition of his sublime talent on the pitch, but a reflection of the year's most seismic event: his world-record, €60 million transfer from FC Barcelona to bitter rivals Real Madrid, a move that permanently reshaped the landscape of Spanish football and the *Galácticos* era.

Awarded in December 2000, the result saw Figo narrowly edge out French maestro Zinédine Zidane, the undisputed star of the victorious Euro 2000 campaign. This article dives deep into the full voting breakdown, the crucial statistics, and the intense rivalry that made the 2000 Ballon d'Or a symbol of both sporting excellence and unprecedented controversy, exploring why the jury ultimately favored Figo's individual brilliance and club performance over Zidane's international glory.

Luís Figo: A Biographical Profile of the 2000 Ballon d'Or Winner

Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, known simply as Luís Figo, was the quintessential winger of his generation, celebrated for his blistering pace, dazzling dribbling skills, and pinpoint crossing ability. His career trajectory in 2000 was a story of two halves, defined by a single, monumental transfer that stunned the football world.

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• Full Name: Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo
• Date of Birth: November 4, 1972
• Place of Birth: Almada, Portugal
• Primary Position: Right Winger (RW), Attacking Midfielder
• Clubs in 2000: FC Barcelona (January–July), Real Madrid CF (July–December)
• Major Individual Awards (2000): Ballon d'Or, UEFA Euro 2000 Team of the Tournament
• Major Trophies Won (1999/2000 Season): None with Barcelona, but his performance led to the transfer.
• International Career: Portugal National Team (127 caps, 32 goals)
• Career Highlights: FIFA World Player of the Year (2001), UEFA Champions League winner (2002), 4x La Liga winner, 4x Serie A winner.

Figo’s year was marked by exceptional consistency. In the first half of 2000, he was the talisman for Louis van Gaal's FC Barcelona, where he excelled as both a goal-scorer and, more importantly, a creator. He was the top assist provider in the 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League, a crucial, often-overlooked factor in his eventual award win.

The Controversial Top 5: Full Ballon d'Or 2000 Results Breakdown

The 2000 voting was notably close, with the winner, Figo, securing 163 points, just 21 points ahead of his main rival, Zinédine Zidane. The final tally highlighted a deep division among the 51 sports journalists who cast their votes, with some favoring club consistency and individual impact (Figo), and others prioritizing international success (Zidane).

The voting system awarded 5 points for a first-place vote, 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, and 1 for fifth. The narrow margin for the top spot underscored the intensity of the debate.

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Top 10 Final Standings for the 2000 Ballon d'Or

1. Luís Figo (Portugal, FC Barcelona / Real Madrid) - 163 points
2. Zinédine Zidane (France, Juventus) - 142 points
3. Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine, AC Milan) - 85 points
4. Thierry Henry (France, Arsenal) - 57 points
5. Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina, Fiorentina / Roma) - 48 points
6. Rivaldo (Brazil, FC Barcelona) - 39 points
7. Gaizka Mendieta (Spain, Valencia) - 33 points
8. Raúl (Spain, Real Madrid) - 27 points
9. Paolo Maldini (Italy, AC Milan) - 23 points
10. Francesco Toldo (Italy, Fiorentina) - 14 points

The presence of Zidane, Henry, and Toldo in the top ten highlighted the dominance of the French and Italian teams at Euro 2000, which had concluded just months before the voting.

The Great Debate: Why Figo Won Over Euro 2000 King Zidane

The central argument for why the 2000 Ballon d'Or is still one of the most controversial in history lies in the direct comparison between the two main contenders, Figo and Zidane. Zidane had just led France to victory at UEFA Euro 2000, where he was named the Player of the Tournament, a monumental achievement that usually guarantees the award.

Figo’s Case: Consistency and Creation

Figo's victory was built on two pillars: his individual club brilliance and the sheer weight of his transfer.

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• Club Consistency: Figo was the creative engine for Barcelona throughout the 1999/2000 season, leading the team in assists and being recognized as the best player in La Liga. His performance in the Champions League, where he was the top assist provider, was a massive statistical advantage.
• The Transfer Factor: The summer move to Real Madrid was a world-record deal that made him the most talked-about player on the planet. This unprecedented attention and valuation likely influenced some voters, viewing him as the most valuable and impactful player of the year.
• International Impact: Figo was also exceptional for Portugal at Euro 2000, where his team reached the semi-finals, losing only to Zidane's France. His stunning goal against England and overall leadership were key highlights.

Zidane’s Case: International Glory and Headbutt

Zidane's year was defined by his masterful performance at Euro 2000. His ability to control the midfield and deliver under pressure was unmatched, earning him the Golden Ball for the tournament.

• The Euro 2000 Triumph: Winning a major international tournament as the undisputed best player is historically a near-guarantee for the Ballon d'Or. Zidane's performances against Spain and Portugal were legendary.
• The 'Lost Votes' Theory: A common retrospective analysis suggests that Zidane may have lost crucial votes due to a controversial red card he received in the UEFA Champions League while playing for Juventus. This moment of indiscipline, a headbutt on an opponent, could have swayed some journalists' opinions, especially in a close race, despite his Euro 2000 heroics.

Legacy and Retrospective: The Transfer That Defined the Award

Looking back from the current date, the 2000 Ballon d'Or is less remembered for the final points tally and more for the "betrayal" narrative that surrounded Luís Figo's move. The transfer from Barcelona, where he was a beloved captain, to Real Madrid, the ultimate rival, remains one of the most polarizing events in the sport.

Retrospective debates often argue that the award should have gone to Zidane, given his Euro 2000 Golden Ball, or perhaps even to Andriy Shevchenko, who was a prolific goal-scorer for AC Milan. However, Figo's victory ultimately highlighted a key voting trend of the era: the Ballon d'Or often rewarded the player who combined world-class individual performance with the highest public profile and market value.

Figo himself later admitted in a recent interview that he believed another player—though he did not specify Zidane—might have been more deserving of the award that year. Regardless of the debate, Figo's 2000 Ballon d'Or stands as a symbol of a transitional year in football, where the financial power of the *Galácticos* era began to clash with traditional sporting merit, cementing its place as an eternal talking point in football history.