The Ballon d'Or is among the most prestigious individual awards in the world of football, awarded annually to a player in recognition of their performance during the voting period.
Since its inception in 1956, notable names have left their mark on its history, with a few players managing to win it more than once.
According to the official records, Lionel Messi leads the list of players with the most Ballon d'Or wins with 8 awards, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with 5.
Top 10 Ballon d'Or Winners:
The list includes 10 players who have won the award at least twice. Their ranking by the number of wins is as follows:
1. Lionel Messi – 8 Ballon d'Ors
Lionel Messi tops the list with 8 Ballon d'Ors, a record until 2026. The Argentine star won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023, with four consecutive wins from 2009 to 2012.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 Ballon d'Ors
Cristiano Ronaldo comes second in Ballon d'Or wins, hoisting 5 awards in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, demonstrating consistent excellence.
3. Michel Platini – 3 Ballon d'Ors
French legend Michel Platini clinched the award 3 consecutive times in 1983, 1984, and 1985, a testament to his dominance during the era of fierce European competition.
4. Johan Cruyff – 3 Ballon d'Ors
Dutch maestro Johan Cruyff achieved the honor 3 times in the years 1971, 1973, and 1974, marking him as one of Europe's football stalwarts of the 1970s.
5. Marco van Basten – 3 Ballon d'Ors
Marco van Basten from the Netherlands also won the Ballon d'Or 3 times in 1988, 1989, and 1992, establishing his legacy among the elite.
6. Franz Beckenbauer – 2 Ballon d'Ors
German legend Franz Beckenbauer secured the award twice, in 1972 and 1976, becoming a key figure among defense-oriented players.
7. Alfredo Di Stefano – 2 Ballon d'Ors
Alfredo Di Stefano of Real Madrid won the Ballon d'Or twice, in 1957 and 1959, in the formative years of the award's history.
8. Kevin Keegan – 2 Ballon d'Ors
English star Kevin Keegan earned consecutive wins in 1978 and 1979, underscoring his back-to-back success.
9. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 2 Ballon d'Ors
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's back-to-back wins in 1980 and 1981 highlight his prominence in German football.
10. Ronaldo Nazario – 2 Ballon d'Ors
Brazilian Ronaldo clinched the Ballon d'Or twice, first in 1997 while at Inter Milan, and then again in 2002 after Brazil's World Cup win.
Who is the most awarded Ballon d'Or winner?
Lionel Messi holds the record with 8 titles, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with 5. Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten won it 3 times each.
Was the Ballon d'Or awarded in 2020?
The award was not given in 2020 due to an unprecedented cancellation. It resumed in 2021, with Lionel Messi winning for the seventh time.
In future editions, France’s Ousmane Dembele and Spain’s Rodri were highlighted in 2025 and 2024, respectively, with the 2026 ceremony in London set for October 26.
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