This Unusual Quiz Will Reveal How Well You Know The Ballon d'Or Nominees' English Roots!

Over the years, England has been home to numerous talented footballers, including those who have gone on to win or get nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. While it isn't uncommon for star players to begin their careers in the lower divisions or abroad, before moving to bigger leagues, their first English club often lays the foundation of their illustrious careers.

This article takes a unique approach to knowing the Ballon d'Or nominees by connecting the dots between their past and their first foray into English football. We have taken a few examples of such players, along with their Ballon d'Or year and their first English clubs, which are often not household names.

One Player To Illustrate This Point Is, Raheem Sterling

Born in Jamaica, Raheem Sterling began his youth career in the QPR academy. Following his early days in football, Sterling made his mark at Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool, before becoming a prominent player for Manchester City. Sterling has twice finished in the top 50 of the Ballon d'Or list.

Another popular Ballon d'Or nominee, whose first English club is an old stomping ground for young Raheem, is Bobby Zamora. A well-known English striker, Zamora started his youth career at the QPR academy and rose to prominence at Brighton & Hove Albion, eventually becoming a prolific Premier League center-forward for Fulham, where he came closest to winning the Europa League. Zamora has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or as well and received critical acclaim while at various clubs.

These examples provide insight into the diverse range of first English clubs for Ballon d'Or nominees and even the possibility that future prominent players may emerge from clubs relatively below the radar. For the quiz lover or football enthusiast, their ability to point out hidden gems like these holds great significance for better understanding English football lore.