The Ballon d’Or has recognised some of the greatest players in soccer history since its introduction in 1956. From Lionel Messi’s record-breaking collection to the achievements of legends such as Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini, the award has reflected different generations of the game.
Messi leads the all-time standings with eight victories, while Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five. Three other players have claimed the award three times each.
Below is every men’s Ballon d’Or winner ranked by the number of times they have received the award.
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Every Ballon d’Or winner and their winning years
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami)
Winning years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid)
Winning years: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
3. Michel Platini (Juventus)
Winning years: 1983, 1984, 1985
4. Johan Cruyff (Ajax)
Winning years: 1971, 1973, 1974
5. Marco van Basten (AC Milan)
Winning years: 1988, 1989, 1992
6. Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid)
Winning years: 1957, 1959
7. Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich)
Winning years: 1972, 1976
8. Kevin Keegan (Hamburg)
Winning years: 1978, 1979
9. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich)
Winning years: 1980, 1981
10. Ronaldo Nazário (Inter Milan, Real Madrid)
Winning years: 1997, 2002
11. Stanley Matthews (Blackpool)
Winning year: 1956
12. Raymond Kopa (Real Madrid)
Winning year: 1958
13. Luis Suárez (Barcelona)
Winning year: 1960
14. Omar Sívori (Juventus)
Winning year: 1961
15. Josef Masopust (Dukla Prague)
Winning year: 1962
16. Lev Yashin (Dynamo Moscow)
Winning year: 1963
17. Denis Law (Manchester United)
Winning year: 1964
18. Eusébio (Benfica)
Winning year: 1965
19. Bobby Charlton (Manchester United)
Winning year: 1966
20. Flórián Albert (Ferencváros)
Winning year: 1967
21. George Best (Manchester United)
Winning year: 1968
22. Gianni Rivera (AC Milan)
Winning year: 1969
23. Gerd Müller (Bayern Munich)
Winning year: 1970
24. Oleg Blokhin (Dynamo Kyiv)
Winning year: 1975
25. Allan Simonsen (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Winning year: 1977
26. Paolo Rossi (Juventus)
Winning year: 1982
27. Igor Belanov (Dynamo Kyiv)
Winning year: 1986
28. Ruud Gullit (AC Milan)
Winning year: 1987
29. Lothar Matthäus (Inter Milan)
Winning year: 1990
30. Jean-Pierre Papin (Marseille)
Winning year: 1991
31. Roberto Baggio (Juventus)
Winning year: 1993
32. Hristo Stoichkov (Barcelona)
Winning year: 1994
33. George Weah (Paris Saint-Germain)
Winning year: 1995
34. Matthias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund)
Winning year: 1996
35. Zinedine Zidane (Juventus)
Winning year: 1998
36. Rivaldo (Barcelona)
Winning year: 1999
37. Luís Figo (Real Madrid)
Winning year: 2000
38. Michael Owen (Liverpool)
Winning year: 2001
39. Pavel Nedvěd (Juventus)
Winning year: 2003
40. Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan)
Winning year: 2004
41. Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
Winning year: 2005
42. Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Winning year: 2006
43. Kaká (AC Milan)
Winning year: 2007
44. Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)
Winning year: 2018
45. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Winning year: 2022
46. Rodri (Manchester City)
Winning year: 2024
47. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
Winning year: 2025
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