Most Ballon D’or winners in football history

most Ballon d’or winners in football history

Ballon D’or is considered the biggest award to won by an individual player in a year ( currently season with specific time). so winning a Ballon D’or is every footballers dream. today we are discussing the Players with most Ballon D’ors in footall history.

4. Ronaldo Nazario – 2

Brazilian former striker Ronaldo Nazário, popularly known as R9, has won two Ballon d’Or awards in his career.

He lifted his first Ballon d’Or in 1997 after an excellent year with Barcelona, where he won three trophies, including the UEFA Super Cup. On top of that, he also enjoyed international success by winning the Copa América with the Brazil national team.

Then, in 2002, he earned his second Ballon d’Or after leading Brazil to World Cup glory. He finished the tournament as the Golden Boot winner, and most importantly, he scored two goals in the final against Germany to seal the title.

4. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 2

German football legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won two Ballon d’Or awards during his career.

He claimed his first Ballon d’Or in 1980 after becoming a Euro 1980 champion with West Germany and finishing as the Bundesliga’s top scorer.

Then, in 1981, Rummenigge retained the award, winning the Ballon d’Or for the second consecutive year after once again securing the Bundesliga title and ending the season as the league’s top scorer.

4. Kevin Keegan – 2

Kevin Keegan won the Ballon d’Or twice, and in those years he also achieved important club success.
Firstly, in 1978, he won the Ballon d’Or after helping Hamburger SV finish as Bundesliga runners-up.

Then, in 1979, he retained the award and also won the Bundesliga title with Hamburg.

4. Franz Beckenbauer – 2

Franz Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or twice in his career.

In 1972, he won the award after lifting the UEFA Euro 1972 trophy with West Germany. At club level, he also completed a domestic double with Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal in the same year.

Then, in 1976, Beckenbauer claimed his second Ballon d’Or after winning the European Cup with Bayern Munich and later adding the Intercontinental Cup. Meanwhile, he also captained West Germany to the Euro 1976 final.

4. Alfredo Di Stéfano – 2

Alfredo Di Stéfano won the Ballon d’Or twice in his career, and both wins came during dominant seasons with Real Madrid.

In 1957, he claimed his first Ballon d’Or after leading Real Madrid to the European Cup title, while also winning La Liga in the same year.

Then, in 1959, Di Stéfano won the Ballon d’Or again after helping Real Madrid retain the European Cup, while also securing another La Liga title.

3. Marco Van Basten – 3

Dutch legend Marco van Basten won three Ballon d’Or awards in his career.

He won his first Ballon d’Or in 1988 after lifting the European Championship (Euro 1988) with the Netherlands, where he also finished as the top scorer of the tournament. In the same year, he won the European Cup with AC Milan.

Then, he claimed his second Ballon d’Or in 1989 after helping AC Milan win the European Cup again, along with the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.

Finally, he secured his third Ballon d’Or in 1992 after winning Serie A with AC Milan, and he also finished as the top scorer in the league.

3. Michel Platini – 3

French legend Michel Platini won three Ballon d’Or awards, and he achieved it in three consecutive years.
He won his first Ballon d’Or in 1983 after leading Juventus to the Coppa Italia.

Then, he claimed his second Ballon d’Or in 1984, which was his biggest year with France, as he won Euro 1984 and also finished as the tournament’s top scorer.

Finally, he completed the hat-trick by winning his third Ballon d’Or in 1985, after helping Juventus lift the European Cup, and he also won the Intercontinental Cup in the same year.

3. Johan Cruyff – 3

Dutch icon Johan Cruyff won three Ballon d’Or awards,He won his first Ballon d’Or in 1971 after helping Ajax lift the European Cup, and he also won the Intercontinental Cup.

Then, he claimed his second Ballon d’Or in 1973, once again after winning the European Cup with Ajax, Finally, he secured his third Ballon d’Or in 1974 after leading the Netherlands to the FIFA World Cup final, and he also won La Liga with Barcelona in the same year.

2- Cristiano Ronaldo – 5

Cristiano Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or awards.
2008: Won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League with Manchester United, and finished as top scorer in both competitions.
2013: Won the Champions League top scorer award and the European Golden Shoe.
2014: Won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, and finished as Champions League top scorer.
2016: Won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid and Euro 2016 with Portugal.
2017: Won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, and finished as Champions League top scorer.

1. Lionel Messi -8

Lionel Messi has won the most Ballon D’or in football history with eight Ballon d’Or awards in his career till now..
2009: Won the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey with Barcelona.
2010: Won La Liga with Barcelona.
2011: Won the Champions League and La Liga with Barcelona.
2012: Won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona.
2015: Won the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey with Barcelona.
2019: Won La Liga with Barcelona.
2021: Won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona and the Copa América with Argentina.
2023: Won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina.

Ballon D’or winners from 1956 to 2025