Top 5 Legends Who Won the Most Ballon d’Or Awards

The Ballon d’Or award is among the most prestigious awards in football. This award is given to a player who performs exceptionally well during a calendar year. It is organized by France Football and is based on voting by journalists from around the world. Winning this award even once is a huge achievement, but some players have managed to win it multiple times, showcasing their incredible skills and consistency over the years.

The Ballon d’Or was initially awarded only to European players and later expanded to include players from clubs across Europe. In 2007, the rules changed to allow any player worldwide to be eligible for this honor. This change allowed even more talented players to compete for this prestigious award.

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, is the player with the most Ballon d’Or awards. He won his first award in 2009 and his latest one in 2023, making him a record-holder with eight wins. Meanwhile, his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award five times, making the competition between these two players legendary. Their dominance in the football world has been remarkable, as they shared the award 12 times in 13 years between 2008 and 2021. Here is a list of the top 5 players who have won the most Ballon d’Or awards.

5. Marco van Basten – 3 Ballon d’Or Awards

Marco van Basten, a Dutch football legend, won the Ballon d’Or three times in 1988, 1989, and 1992. Known for his striking abilities, Van Basten was a key player for both the Netherlands national team and AC Milan. He won the UEFA Euro with the Netherlands and two Champions League titles with AC Milan. His career was unfortunately cut short due to injuries, but he remains one of the greatest strikers in history.

4. Johan Cruyff – 3 Ballon d’Or Awards

Johan Cruyff is a name that commands respect in football. He was the leader of the “Total Football” philosophy, which changed the way the game is played. Cruyff won the Ballon d’Or in 1971, 1973, and 1974. He led Ajax to three European club trophies and won nine Dutch Eredivisie titles. Later, he also won the Spanish La Liga once with FC Barcelona, leaving a lasting legacy on football.

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3. Michel Platini – 3 Ballon d’Or Awards

French football legend Michel Platini won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row, in 1983, 1984, and 1985. He was known for his excellent skills as a midfielder. Platini played a key role in France’s success, winning the UEFA Euro in 1984. He also won a UEFA Champions League title and two Serie A league titles with Juventus. Platini later became the President of UEFA, further influencing the sport beyond his playing career.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 Ballon d’Or Awards

Cristiano Ronaldo, another football giant, has won the Ballon d’Or five times. He won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. During the period from 2008 to 2021, the competition for the Ballon d’Or was mainly between Ronaldo and Messi. Ronaldo has also finished in second place five times, showing his long-standing impact on the sport. He is known for his determination, goal-scoring ability, and leadership on the field.

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1. Lionel Messi – 8 Ballon d’Or Awards

Lionel Messi holds the record for winning the most Ballon d’Or awards, with a total of 8. He won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. His incredible consistency and skills make him one of the greatest footballers of all time. Most of these awards were won during his time at FC Barcelona, where he achieved great success. His 2023 win made history as he secured the award for the eighth time.

Table: Top 10 Legends Who Won the Most Ballon d’Or Awards