The 1997 Ballon d'Or, given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, was awarded to Ronaldo on 23 December 1997. The Brazilian became the youngest winner of the award, at 21 years old.

Additionally, fourteen players were nominated but received no votes: Sonny Anderson (Monaco/Barcelona & Brazil), Enrico Chiesa (Parma & Italy), Hernán Crespo (Parma & Argentina), Iván de la Peña (Barcelona & Spain), Robbie Fowler (Liverpool & England), Thomas Häßler (Karlsruher SC & Germany), Thomas Helmer (Bayern Munich & Germany), Filippo Inzaghi (Atalanta/Juventus & Italy), Gianluca Pagliuca (Inter Milan & Italy), Robert Pires (Metz & France), Karl-Heinz Riedle (Borussia Dortmund/Liverpool & Germany), Sergi (Barcelona & Spain), Davor Šuker (Real Madrid & Croatia) and Ian Wright (Arsenal & England).