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I know I did a look back to the Summer of 2003 in the last newsletter but just by coincidence, 2004 came on my radar this week and it was something I wanted to explore.
The Ballon d'Or is football’s most prestigious individual award, recognizing the player who has consistently performed the best each year. This week, I noticed a few media outlets discussing how the 2004 Ballon d'Or nominees were far superior to this year’s, prompting a conversation about how we compare players across different eras. My instant reaction was in agreement because the 2004 nominees are, for the most part, legends of the modern game, but it did make me wonder: Are we simply letting nostalgia influence our perspective, or was the 2004 class genuinely a stronger group of footballing talent?
To explore this, I’ve taken a closer look at the nominees from both 2004 and 2024. This comparison made me think about whether, in 20 years, we will hold the 2024 nominees in the same regard as we do with the 2004 legends. Are we unfairly comparing players still in the midst of their careers to those whose legacies are already cemented?
The Icons of 2004
The 2004 Ballon d'Or nominee list is a who's who of footballing legends, many of whom went on to define modern football. But as we reflect on these players today, it’s important to ask: are we really focusing on their performances in 2004, or are we thinking about their entire careers?
Ronaldinho (24 years old): In 2004, Ronaldinho was already captivating the world with his dazzling performances for Barcelona. His creativity, flair, and joy on the pitch made him an immediate icon. While his peak was still ahead, this was the year that marked his true emergence as a global star.
Thierry Henry (27 years old): Coming off Arsenal’s "Invincibles" season, Henry was in his prime in 2004. His speed, vision, and finishing made him one of the most feared forwards in world football. This was arguably his best individual season.
Andriy Shevchenko (28 years old): The lethal AC Milan striker capped off his stellar 2004 season with the Ballon d'Or. His clinical finishing, tactical awareness, and leadership made him the complete forward, and at 28, he was right at the peak of his powers.
Pavel Nedvěd (32 years old): Nedvěd, who won the 2003 Ballon d'Or, was still a driving force for Juventus in 2004. A tireless midfielder with a thunderous shot and tactical intelligence, he was one of the game’s most influential players, even in the later stages of his career.
Zinedine Zidane (32 years old): Zidane was already a living legend by 2004. While his performances that year didn’t match his younger counterparts, his reputation as one of the greatest midfielders ever meant he was still a giant in the game.
Other notable 2004 Ballon d'Or nominees:
Deco (Portugal, Porto, Barcelona)
Adriano (Brazil, Parma, Inter)
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands, Manchester United)
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, Mallorca, Barcelona)
Luis Figo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United) - (19 years old)
Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea)
Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal, Porto, Chelsea)
Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United) (19 years old)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden, Ajax, Juventus)
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Marseille, Chelsea)
I think we can all agree, that was some year!
At the time, many of these players were either at or approaching their peaks, with a few, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, only just beginning their journeys. Today, it’s difficult to think of these players without considering everything they went on to achieve in the years that followed. This retrospective view might be affecting how we perceive their greatness compared to more recent players.
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