Allan Simonsen

Allan Rodenkam Simonsen is a former Danish footballer and coach, the only player from his country to win the Ballon d'Or, an award he received in 1977. Born in Vejle, he joined Vejle Boldklub's youth categories in 1963 and made his debut for the main team in 1971. In 1972, he transferred to Borussia Mönchengladbach, in Germany, where he experienced the most glorious years of his career, playing as a right winger and second striker. With the German club, he won three Bundesliga championships and two UEFA Cup titles, as well as played in the 1977 European Cup final, which was lost to Liverpool. In 1979, he was signed by Barcelona, where he remained until 1982, winning the European Cup Winners' Cup that year. He became the only player in history to score goals in finals of the European Cup, UEFA Cup, and European Cup Winners' Cup. After a brief and troubled stint at Charlton Athletic, in England, in 1982-83, he returned to Vejle Boldklub, the club of his heart, to end his career. For the Denmark national team, he played 55 matches and scored 20 goals, participating in the historic first World Cup of Denmark in 1986.