Who has the most ballon d’or awards?

The question of “who has the most ballon d’or awards” is always a hot topic of discussion and admiration in the football community. Ballon d’Or, founded by France Football magazine in 1956, is one of the most prestigious and coveted awards for any player. Every year, this title is awarded to the best player in the world. Over the past 60 years, many football legends have won and created memorable historical moments. The following article by Premiumsoccertips will summarize information about the players who have won the most Ballon d’Or awards and their outstanding achievements in their careers.

Players with the most Ballon d’Ors

The Ballon d’Or award is not only a recognition of talent and achievement, but also a testament to a solid position in football history. Below is a list of legends with the most Ballon d’Ors in the history of the king sport.

1. Lionel Messi: 8 Ballon d’Ors (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)

Lionel Messi currently holds the record for the player with the most Ballon d’Ors, with 8 honors. Messi’s natural ability to play football has made him an icon not only in the hearts of fans but also in the hearts of football experts. He has left a deep impression through excellent performances at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the Argentina national team.

Messi’s journey to conquer 8 Ballons d’Or

2009: Messi won the Ballon d’Or for the first time after an excellent season with Barcelona, under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, helping the team win the legendary treble.
2010: Although Barcelona only won La Liga, Messi was still honored thanks to his impressive scoring ability and strong influence on the team.
2011: Messi continued to maintain his top form, helping Barcelona maintain their dominance in Europe and win many important titles.
2012: Messi set a record of scoring 91 goals in a calendar year, thereby winning the Ballon d’Or for the 4th consecutive time.
2015: After a period without a major title, Messi won his 5th Ballon d’Or thanks to his excellent performances with Barcelona.
2019: Although Barcelona did not win the Champions League, Messi still won his 6th Ballon d’Or thanks to his impressive form in La Liga.
2021: Messi receives his 7th Ballon d’Or after winning the Copa America with Argentina, marking an important milestone in his international career.
2023: Messi wins his 8th Ballon d’Or thanks to his outstanding contributions at PSG and his great contribution to Argentina winning the 2022 World Cup.

Messi is not only an excellent striker with excellent ball control and finishing ability, but also a masterful creator. These qualities have made him one of the most complete and greatest players in football history.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 Ballons d’Or (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)

Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s biggest rival throughout his career, has also won 5 Ballons d’Or. With resounding successes at top clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, Ronaldo has affirmed his talent and influence. He is the only player in history to win the Ballon d’Or in three different decades, proving his greatness and longevity in his career.

Ronaldo’s journey to 5 Ballons d’Or

2008: Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or after an excellent season with Manchester United, scoring 42 goals and helping the team win the Premier League and Champions League.
2013 and 2014: After joining Real Madrid, Ronaldo won two consecutive Ballons d’Or thanks to his impressive form and incredible scoring ability.
2016: Ronaldo won his fourth Ballon d’Or after helping Portugal win Euro 2016 and Real Madrid win the Champions League.
2017: Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d’Or after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga double.

Ronaldo possesses outstanding physical strength, the ability to shoot from many different angles and a persistent fighting spirit. He is a model of hard work and desire, factors that have helped him maintain peak performance throughout his career.

3. Michel Platini: 3 Ballons d’Or (1983, 1984, 1985)

Michel Platini is one of the greatest legends of French football, leaving a deep mark on the history of the king sport with his natural talent and timeless influence. Born in Jœuf, France, Platini quickly became an icon with his skillful passing ability and excellent free-kick technique, turning set pieces into dangerous scoring opportunities. During his brilliant career, Platini won 3 consecutive Ballons d’Or in 1983, 1984 and 1985, when he was at his peak with Juventus. Not only did he help the Old Lady win many important titles, including the Serie A championship and the European Cup, but he was also named one of the best players of the 1980s.

At the national team level, Platini was the soul of the French team during its golden period, leading the team to the EURO 1984 championship on home soil. In this tournament, he scored 9 goals in 5 matches, an extremely impressive achievement for a midfielder. Platini not only shone on the pitch but also had a great influence in shaping the modern style of football, with its emphasis on creativity and tactics. His influence continued even after his retirement, as a respected international football coach.

4. Johan Cruyff: 3 Ballons d’Or (1971, 1973, 1974)

Johan Cruyff is an irreplaceable legend in the history of Dutch and global football, known for his innate talent and revolutionary tactical vision. During his illustrious playing career, Cruyff won 3 Ballons d’Or in 1971, 1973 and 1974, affirming himself as one of the greatest players of all time. As the soul of Total Football, Cruyff helped the team to flexibly switch positions, breaking the traditional tactical framework. He was not only a creative and skillful player but also the founder of modern football philosophy, especially the famous “Tiki-Taka” style later.

During his illustrious playing career, Cruyff won 3 Ballons d'Or in 1971, 1973 and 1974 — During his illustrious playing career, Cruyff won 3 Ballons d’Or in 1971, 1973 and 1974

Cruyff’s influence was not only limited to the field, but also spread strongly in his role as a coach. With Ajax and Barcelona, he redefined attacking football, transforming these clubs into icons of creativity and beauty in the game. At Barcelona, Cruyff built the first “Dream Team”, ushering in an era of lasting success and leaving a legacy of football philosophy for generations to come. A tactical revolutionary, Johan Cruyff not only changed the way football was played, but also enriched the spirit and philosophy of the sport.

5. Marco van Basten: 3 Ballon d’Ors (1988, 1989, 1992)

Who has the most ballon d’or awards? Marco van Basten is one of the greatest strikers in the history of Dutch and world football, known for his sharp finishing, superb individual technique and excellent aerial ability. Born in Utrecht, Van Basten began his career at Ajax, where he quickly demonstrated his outstanding talent and impressive goalscoring ability. His success at Ajax opened the door for him to join AC Milan, where his career reached its peak. With three Ballon d’Ors in 1988, 1989 and 1992, Van Basten not only established himself as one of the most complete strikers in the world, but also became an icon of European football in the 1980s and early 1990s.

At AC Milan, Van Basten was a key figure in the club’s golden era, helping Milan win three Serie A titles and two European Cups. On the international stage, he made his mark by helping the Netherlands win the 1988 European Championship. In this tournament, Van Basten created one of the greatest moments in football history with a stunning volley against the Soviet Union in the final, a goal that is considered one of the greatest goals of all time. Although Van Basten’s career was interrupted by serious injuries, his achievements and contributions remain an endless source of inspiration, affirming him as a legend in world football.

6. Franz Beckenbauer: 2 Ballons d’Or (1972, 1976)

Franz Beckenbauer, dubbed the “Emperor” of German football, is one of the greatest defenders in football history. With his elegant playing style, ability to control the game from the back and excellent tactics, Beckenbauer not only changed the definition of the defender position but also became an icon of modern football. He won 2 Ballons d’Or in 1972 and 1976, an impressive achievement for a player playing in the defensive position. At Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer led the team to many titles, including 4 Bundesliga championships and 3 consecutive European Cups, creating an era of dominance for the Bavarian team.

Franz Beckenbauer won 2 Ballons d'Or in 1972 and 1976 — Franz Beckenbauer won 2 Ballons d’Or in 1972 and 1976

On the international stage, Beckenbauer was the soul of the German national team, playing an important role in the victory at EURO 1972 and especially the 1974 World Cup, where he led the West German team to the championship. With great influence, Beckenbauer not only succeeded as a player but also rose to the level of coach, leading West Germany to victory at the 1990 World Cup. His tactical legacy and vision contributed greatly to shaping the German football style, affirming him as an immortal legend in world football.

7. Ronaldo Nazário: 2 Ballons d’Or (1997, 2002)

Ronaldo Nazário, also known by his nickname “Fat Ronaldo”, is one of the greatest strikers in the history of Brazilian and world football. With his skillful technique, explosive speed and impressive finishing ability, Ronaldo became a nightmare for every defense. During his legendary career, he won 2 Ballons d’Or in 1997 and 2002, affirming himself as one of the greatest players. At the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldo shone brightly, scoring 8 goals, including a double in the final against Germany, helping Brazil win the world championship for the 5th time.

During his legendary career, Ronaldo Nazário won 2 Ballons d'Or in 1997 and 2002 — During his legendary career, Ronaldo Nazário won 2 Ballons d’Or in 1997 and 2002

Although Ronaldo’s career was interrupted by injuries, especially during his time playing for Inter Milan, he still came back strongly to prove his talent at Real Madrid. As part of the Galácticos, Ronaldo scored many important goals and became a symbol of excellence. With 62 goals in 98 matches for the Brazilian national team, he is not only a legend of the Selecao but also an endless source of inspiration for future generations of players. Ronaldo left a legacy not only through titles and goals, but also through his fighting spirit to overcome adversity, leaving a deep mark on the history of world football.

Conclusion

Who has the most ballon d’or awards? The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious awards in football, not only recognizing talent but also reflecting the significant contributions of players to the development of the king sport. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two biggest names in the history of this award, but besides that, there are many other legends who have left a deep mark, such as Platini, Cruyff, Van Basten, Beckenbauer and Ronaldo. These players are not only the pride of their countries but also become global icons, demonstrating greatness and lasting influence in the history of football.