Complex sentence: In 1971, following his final Serie A title and his performances in Europe, he placed second in the Ballon d'Or, behind Johan Cruyff; this was the closest he ever came to winning the Award, and the first time he was shortlisted as a finalist.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1971, following his final Serie A title and his performances in Europe, he placed second in the Ballon d'Or, behind Johan Cruyff. This was the closest he ever came to winning the Award, and the first time he was shortlisted as a finalist.