The Ballon d'Or, established in 1956, has become a prestigious individual accolade in global football. Over the years, it has been awarded to stars from different generations, from Stanley Matthews to modern icons.
After Ousmane Dembele's win in 2025, the leaderboard of players with the most Ballon d'Or titles remained unchanged. Lionel Messi leads with a record 8 titles, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with 5.
Top Ballon d'Or Winners:
1. Lionel Messi – 8 Ballon d'Ors
At the top, Lionel Messi has clinched the award 8 times, a record in the history of the Ballon d'Or.
His victories came in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Messi holds a 3-award lead over his closest competitor, Cristiano Ronaldo, making his tally a standout in the award's history.
His latest win was in 2023, following his World Cup success with Argentina in 2022.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 Ballon d'Ors
Cristiano Ronaldo ranks second with 5 Ballon d'Or awards.
The Portuguese star claimed the prize in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has defined a significant era of the Ballon d'Or in the 21st century, with both dominating the accolades over a long period.
3. Michel Platini – 3 Ballon d'Ors
The Frenchman Michel Platini has 3 Ballon d'Or titles to his name from 1983, 1984, and 1985.
Platini was a leading player of his generation, securing his Ballon d'Or victories in three consecutive years, a remarkable feat in the award's history.
4. Johan Cruyff – 3 Ballon d'Ors
The Dutch legend Johan Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or 3 times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974.
Cruyff was an iconic figure in Dutch and European football, known for his influential playing style that left a lasting impact on the game.
5. Marco van Basten – 3 Ballon d'Ors
Dutch forward Marco van Basten won the Ballon d'Or 3 times in 1988, 1989, and 1992.
Van Basten was one of the greatest strikers in football history, achieving his victories during his peak with AC Milan and the Dutch national team.
He shares the third rank with Platini and Cruyff for the number of Ballon d'Ors won.
Players with Two Ballon d'Or Wins
After the top five, a group of football legends claimed the award twice.
6. Alfredo Di Stefano – Two Wins
Argentinian-Spanish star Alfredo Di Stefano clinched the Ballon d'Or twice, in 1957 and 1959.
He was a key figure in Real Madrid's golden era in the 1950s.
7. Franz Beckenbauer – Two Wins
German player Franz Beckenbauer took home the Ballon d'Or twice, in 1972 and 1976.
Beckenbauer is heralded as one of the greatest defenders, renowned for his libero role advancement.
8. Kevin Keegan – Two Wins
Englishman Kevin Keegan secured the Ballon d'Or in 1978 and 1979.
Keegan was a football star in Europe, winning the award in back-to-back years.
9. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – Two Wins
German Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1980 and 1981.
He earned his honors during his shining time with Bayern Munich and the German national team.
10. Brazilian Ronaldo – Two Wins
Brazil's Ronaldo Nazário received the Ballon d'Or twice, in 1997 and 2002.
Ronaldo was a prolific striker of his era, capturing his second title after aiding Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph.
It's notable that beyond the sixth position, several players have won the Ballon d'Or twice. So, the "Top 10" doesn't imply a single player per rank. The official historical list indicates multiple players have similar victories.
Who Has Won the Most Ballon d'Ors?
Lionel Messi holds the record as the player with the most Ballon d'Or awards, with 8 wins.
Cristiano Ronaldo follows in second place with 5, while Platini, Cruyff, and van Basten each have three.
Most Consecutive Ballon d'Or Wins
Some players have won the Ballon d'Or in consecutive years, with the longest modern streak belonging to Messi, with 4 consecutive wins from 2009 to 2012.
Platini also won three in a row from 1983 to 1985, while van Basten achieved two consecutive in 1988 and 1989.
Has the Ballon d'Or System Changed Over Time?
Yes, the award has seen changes in its structure and eligibility over time.
Initially reserved for European players in 1956, it later expanded to include players of all nationalities.
The award also merged with FIFA from 2010 to 2015, before returning independently under France Football.
The award was not given in 2020 due to COVID-19 interruptions, excluding that year from victory counts.
Recent Ballon d'Or Winners
Recent years have continued the rotation of winners, with Messi earning it in 2023, Rodri in 2024, and Ousmane Dembele in 2025.
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