Multiple choice general knowledge Who won the first FIFA player of the Year award? Pele Maradona Lother Mathyas Bastistuta Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself C Correct answer Explanation Lothar Matthäus (misspelled as Lother Mathyas in the option) won the first FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1991. Pele and Maradona were legends but the award started in 1991. Batistuta was a striker from Argentina.