Balon de Oro: List of Winners
Key Takeaways
- The Ballon d’Or (Balón de Oro) is the most prestigious individual award in world football.
- Lionel Messi holds the record for the most wins, with 8 awards to his name.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is second with 5 awards.
Contents
History of the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or, or “Golden Ball,” is an annual football award presented by the French news magazine France Football since 1956. Originally, it was awarded only to European players, which is why legends like Pelé and Diego Maradona never won it during their playing days. In 1995, the rules were expanded to include players from any origin who were active at European clubs.
In 2007, it became a global prize, open to all professional footballers worldwide. From 2010 to 2015, the award temporarily merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year, before reverting back to the standalone Ballon d’Or.
Record Winners: Messi and Ronaldo Era
For more than a decade, the award was overwhelmingly dominated by two players: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Between 2008 and 2017, they won the award five times each. Lionel Messi eventually pulled ahead, securing his record-breaking 8th Ballon d’Or in 2023 following Argentina’s World Cup victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains comfortably in second place with 5 awards, winning his last in 2017. Their fierce rivalry elevated the standards of world football to unprecedented heights.
Other Notable Multiple Winners
Before the Messi-Ronaldo era, a few exceptional players managed to win the award multiple times. Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten each won the Ballon d’Or three times. Platini was the first to win it three years consecutively in the 1980s.
Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo Nazário, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Kevin Keegan, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge each lifted the trophy twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first Ballon d’Or?
Sir Stanley Matthews of England won the inaugural Ballon d’Or in 1956.
Can a goalkeeper win the Ballon d’Or?
Yes, but it is extremely rare. Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have ever won the award, doing so in 1963.
