Luz: the stage of the Ballon d'Or

From the modern-day football there are few Ballon D'or winners who have not played in the new Estádio da Luz.

Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese was the most recent winner of the FIFA award for best player and he is the man who has played more times at Luz. The first time was in 2005/06 with Manchester United. A bad memory for the Portuguese who lost by 2-1 and was eliminated from the competition. Years later, in 2014, he conquered his second Champions League and the 10^th of Real Madrid. For Portugal, highlight for the recent game against Switzerland, whose triumph puts Portugal in the 2018 World Cup.

Messi: O grande rival do português chama-se Lionel Messi, é argentino e joga no Barcelona. "La Pulga" visited Estádio da Luz fewer times than Cristiano Ronaldo. Only one time, in 2012/13, and without scoring goals. The Catalans have won, by 0-2, in the group stage of the Champions League, with goals from Alexis Sánchez and Fàbregas.

Kaká: In the last 10 years only Kaka has been meddling in the fight between Ronaldo / Messi for the Ballon D'or. The Brazilian, who won in 2007, has made two visits to Estádio da Luz Estádio da Luz before transferring to the Major League Soccer USA). The first in 2007/08, in the group stage of Champions League, the playmaker has played the 90 minutes for Milan (1-1). He returned for the Eusébio Cup in 2012/13 while playing for Real Madrid.

Cannavaro e Nedved: The Italian central defender and the Czech midfielder played for Juventus at Estádio da Luz. In the 2005/06 pre-season and the "Vechia Signora" was the team chosen to play in Benfica's squad presentation.

Ronaldinho: The talent of the Brazilian walked by Luz in 2005/06 and in 2009/10. In the first occasion, playing for Barcelona and years later he played for Milan in the Eusébio Cup, which he lost in penalty shootout.

Owen: The striker has only played at Luz with the English national team in the Euro 2004. He made three matches, with a goal and an assist.

Luís Figo: After Cristiano Ronaldo, he was the man who played more times in the New Cathedral. Representing Portugal, he played the European Championship in 2004, in matches against Russia (2-0 win), England (2-2, 6-5 on penalties) and in the final of bad memory against Greece (0-1) . He returned for Eusébio Cup in 2008/09 with Inter Milan.

Zidane: O atual treinador do Real Madrid, tal como Owen, também só jogou na Luz pela seleção. E que jogo! No Euro 2004, França e Inglaterra mediram forças na fase de grupos. Os gauleses triunfaram, por 2-1, com o craque a bisar nos descontos.

LISTA DE VENCEDORES DA BOLA DE OURO QUE JOGARAM NA CATEDRAL:

Cristiano Ronaldo (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 e 2017)

Messi (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 e 2015)

Kaká (2007)

Cannavaro (2006)

Ronaldinho Gaúcho (2005)

Nedved (2003)

Owen (2001)

Luís Figo (2000)

Zidane (1998)

Texto: Marco Rebelo