Most Ballon d'Or Wins
Lionel Messi has won the most Ballons d'Or in history — 8 awards between 2009 and 2023. Cristiano Ronaldo is second with 5.
First awarded by France Football in 1956, the Ballon d'Or is football's highest individual honor. Only a select group of players has ever lifted it more than once — and one man has turned it into a private collection.
Lionel Messi
Four consecutive wins from 2009 to 2012 remains untouched. Eight Ballons d'Or — no other player has more than five.
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo
Won it in two spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid, the last at 32 years old.
2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Michel Platini
The first player to win three in a row, captaining France to Euro 1984 along the way.
1983, 1984, 1985
Johan Cruyff
The face of Total Football and the 1974 World Cup run to the final.
1971, 1973, 1974
Marco van Basten
Career cut short at 28 by injury — three Ballons d'Or in five seasons at AC Milan.
1988, 1989, 1992
Alfredo Di Stéfano
The first two-time winner, the engine of Real Madrid's five straight European Cups.
1957, 1959
Franz Beckenbauer
The defender who redefined the sweepers' art — and won the World Cup as player and coach.
1972, 1976
Kevin Keegan
Back-to-back wins at Hamburg, still the only Englishman with two.
1978, 1979
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Back-to-back wins at the start of the 1980s with Bayern Munich.
1980, 1981
Ronaldo Nazário
Wins bookending two knee reconstructions and a World Cup Golden Boot.
1997, 2002
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won the most Ballons d'Or?
Lionel Messi has won the most Ballons d'Or, with 8 awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023).
Who won the most recent Ballon d'Or?
Ousmane Dembélé won the most recent Ballon d'Or, in 2025.
Who is the youngest Ballon d'Or winner?
Michael Owen was 21 years and 150 days old when he won in 2001.
Who is the oldest Ballon d'Or winner?
Stanley Matthews was 41 years old when he won the very first Ballon d'Or in 1956.
When did the Ballon d'Or start?
The award was first given by France Football magazine in 1956. It merged with FIFA's World Player of the Year from 2010 to 2015, then split again in 2016.
Hall of Fame
The people behind the numbers — see their complete honor record on X-Badge.
Editor’s Notes
- One-time active winners: Rodri (2024), Ousmane Dembélé (2025) and Harry Kane (2026) are the most recent names on the trophy.
- The award merged with FIFA's World Player of the Year from 2010 to 2015 as the FIFA Ballon d'Or, then split again in 2016.
- A women's Ballon d'Or has been awarded since 2018; Alexia Putellas won the first two editions.
- Stanley Matthews, then 41, won the very first Ballon d'Or in 1956.
Last updated: 2026-10-28