The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in the world of football which is given to the best football player every year. Ballon d’or is awarded to the player depending on his performances through out year. The ballon d’or was established in the year 1956 by the France football. Till now many great individuals have won this individual award, showcasing their talent to the whole world. Winning a Ballon d’Or is a significant milestone for any player, but still only certain individuals have managed to have this achievement. To know which Individuals have won this awards for the Most number times this blog will help you to get all the information about the Top 10 Players With Most Ballon d’or in the history of the game.
• Top 10 Players With Most Ballon d’or
No.1 Lionel Messi
Age: 37
Status: Playing
Nationality: Argentina
Without any doubt Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players of all time, with record breaking eight Ballon d’Ors which are the most in the list of Top 10 Players With Most Ballon d’or. He has been a dominate player for more than a decade. He won his first ballon d’or in 2009 after leading Barcelona to a historic treble. Messi also holds record for the most ballon d’or wins in a row which came in 2009,2010, 2011, and 2012 becoming the first player to win four consecutive Ballon d’Ors.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 39
Status: Playing
Nationality: Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo’s physicality and work ethics is unmatched, which makes him one of the greatest among the game. In 2008 Cristiano Ronaldo won his first ballon d’or with Manchester United winning countless trophies like Premier League title and a UEFA Champions League title that year. After moving to Real Madrid in 2009 he goes on to win the award 4 more times. Which makes him the second player with most ballon d’or.
3. Michel Platini
Age: 69
Status: Retired
Nationality: France
Michel Platini is an football icon know for his playmaking and vision on the field. Platini had a great stinct with Juventus during the early 1980s. Michel platini won the Ballon d’Or three times consecutively between 1983 to 1985 becoming the first player to won the award three times. Also with the France national team he managed to win the 1984 European Championship, where he was the tournament’s top scorer.
4. Johan Cruyff
Age: 68 ( 24 Mar 2016 )
Status Retired
Nationality: Netherlands
Johan Cruyff is a football legend with three Ballon d’Or wins in 1971, 1973, and 1974. During his time at Ajax and Barcelona he was considered the greatest football player at that time. His performances during the 1974 World Cup led Netherlands to reach the final of the tournament showcased his genius on the field. Cruyff has a great contribution as a coach in shaping modern football tactics.
5. Marco van Basten
Age: 59
Status: Retired
Nationality: Netherlands
Marco van Basten is one of the greatest strikers in football history, winning the Ballon d’Or three times (1988, 1989, 1992). He was known for his clinical finishing, and goal scoring ability. He was a key figure at AC Milan and the Netherlands national team. In 1988, Van Basten helped Netherlands to win the European Championship, scoring the goal in the final. Injuries caused his career to end at the age 29 but his peak years has left an indelible mark.
6. Franz Beckenbauer
Age: 78 ( 7 Jan 2024 )
Status: Retired
Nationality: Germany
Franz Beckenbauer is the only player in history to win ballon d’or as defender. Winning the award more than once in 1972 and 1976. Beckenbauer redefined the role of a defender, often stepping into midfield to direct and dictate play. As captain of Bayern Munich and the West Germany national team, he led his country to World Cup victory in 1974 and a European Championship title in 1972.
7. Ronaldo Nazário
Age: 48
Status: Retired
Nationality: Brazil
Ronaldo Nazário also referred as “El Fenomeno,” is regarded as the greatest striker of all time. He won the Ballon d’Or twice, in 1997 and 2002. He was the combination of speed, strength, and technical ability which gave defenders a hard time. After coming from a career-threatening knee injury he led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup victory where he was the top scorer of the tournament and earned him his second Ballon d’Or.
8. Alfredo Di Stéfano
Age: 78 (7 July 2014)
Status: Retired
Nationality: Argentina
Alfredo Di Stéfano helped Real Madrid to dominate European football in the 1950s. He won the Ballon d’Or twice, in 1957 and 1959, during the period where Real Madrid won five consecutive European Cups. Di Stéfano’s was a versatile player and excelled in multiple positions on the field his leadership and goal-scoring ability were key to Real Madrid’s success.
9. Kevin Keegan
Age: 73
Status: Retired
Nationality: England
Kevin Keegan was an English forward who won back-to-back Ballon d’Ors in 1978 and 1979 during his time with Hamburg in Germany. He was a instrumental player for Hamburg and won a Bundesliga title in 1979. He was a great combinations of pace and determination. Keegan’s success with both England and Germany solidified his Position as one of the top players of his era.
10. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Age: 69
Status: Retired
Nationality: Germany
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is a German forward known for his powerful shots and physicality. Rummenigge won the Ballon d’Or in 1980 and 1981 and was a key player for Bayern Munich and the West Germany national team. He helped Bayern Munich to win multiple Bundesliga titles and was a key figure in Germany’s run to the 1982 World Cup final.
• FAQ
Which player has the most Ballon d’Or?
Lionel Messi has won the most number of ballon d’or which stands at eight. He is the only football player who has won the award eight times. Where the recent one came in the year 2023.
Who won the 2nd most Ballon d’Or?
Cristiano Ronaldo has won a total of five ballon d’or which makes him the second player with most number of ballon d’or
Who is the youngest Ballon d’Or winner?
Ronaldo Nazário also referred as “El Fenomeno,” is the youngest player to win the ballon d’or in the year 1997 at the age of 21 years, 3 months, and 5 days.
• Conclusion
Ballon d’or stands as the highest individual award in football many players dream to win such prestige but only few manage to win it each year. These players have achieved individual success but also helped to elevate their team performance overall. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand at the top of the list of Top 10 Players With Most Ballon d’or, they both have dominated the award for over a decade. While players like Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini laid the groundwork for future generations.