FIFA awarded Brazil legend Pele with their first-ever Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur.

Pele never won the Ballon d’Or, which began in 1956 as he never played in Europe.
FIFA inaugurated their own world footballer-of-the-year award in 1991 but Pele had long since retired. The FIFA and Ballon d’Or awards were merged in 2010.
“I promised my family that I would not cry but I am emotional,” Pele said as he collected his award.
“First of all I have to thank God for giving me the health to play so many years.
“Of course I did not play alone. When we talk about my friends people remember the players but we don’t have to forget the guy who cleaned the shoes, the masseur – I had a lot of good people on my side. I have to share with them all this trophy.
“I got so many trophies and prizes but I was jealous because all of those guys who got the Ballon d’Or, which I couldn’t get because I didn’t play in Europe. Now I thank God that I can complete my trophies at home.”
France Football magazine, which founded the Ballon d’Or said: “For regulation reasons the king is not on the list of Ballon d’Or winners – an anomaly that was corrected in 2013.”
Pele is believed to have scored 1 281 goals in 1 363 games in his career. He is the only player to have won three World Cups and he scored 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances. (Eurosport)