The Ballon d’Or winners represent the elite group of footballers who have earned recognition as the world’s best players. Since 1956, this golden trophy has been awarded to players who demonstrate exceptional skill, leadership, and performance throughout the football season.
What is the Ballon d’Or Award?
The Ballon d’Or, which means “Golden Ball” in French, is an annual football award given by France Football magazine. The award recognizes the player who performed best during the previous season, making it the most prestigious individual honor in world football.
Key facts about the award:
- First awarded in 1956 to Stanley Matthews
- Originally only for European players until 1995
- Became a global award in 2007
- Changed from calendar year to season-based voting in 2022
Complete List of Ballon d’Or Winners
Here are the most recent Ballon d’Or winners from 2000-2024:
| Year | Player | Nationality | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rodri | Spain | Manchester City |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Inter Miami |
| 2022 | Karim Benzema | France | Real Madrid |
| 2021 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2020 | Not awarded | – | – |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2018 | Luka Modric | Croatia | Real Madrid |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2010 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Manchester United |
| 2007 | Kaká | Brazil | Milan |
| 2006 | Fabio Cannavaro | Italy | Real Madrid |
| 2005 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Barcelona |
Most Successful Ballon d’Or Winners
Lionel Messi leads all Ballon d’Or winners with a record eight awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023). His dominance includes:
- Most consecutive wins: 4 (2009-2012)
- Only player to win in three different decades
- Only player to win with three different clubs
- Second-oldest winner at age 36 in 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five Ballon d’Or wins (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Together, Messi and Ronaldo won 13 of the 15 awards between 2008 and 2023.
Other notable multiple winners:
- Michel Platini: 3 wins (1983-1985)
- Johan Cruyff: 3 wins (1971, 1973, 1974)
- Marco van Basten: 3 wins (1988, 1989, 1992)
Countries with Most Ballon d’Or Winners
Argentina leads all nations with 8 Ballon d’Or wins, entirely thanks to Lionel Messi’s achievements. The complete breakdown shows:
- Argentina: 8 wins (all by Messi)
- Netherlands: 7 wins (Cruyff 3, van Basten 3, Gullit 1)
- Portugal: 7 wins (Ronaldo 5, others 2)
- Germany: 7 wins (various players)
- France: 6 wins (Platini 3, others)
- Brazil: 5 wins
- England: 5 wins
- Italy: 5 wins
Clubs with Most Ballon d’Or Winners
Barcelona and Real Madrid are tied as the clubs with the most Ballon d’Or winners, each producing 12 award recipients. The Spanish rivals have dominated thanks to:
Barcelona (12 wins):
- Messi’s 6 awards while at the club
- Historical winners like Ronaldinho and Luis Suarez
Real Madrid (12 wins):
- Four of Ronaldo’s 5 awards
- Legends like Di Stefano and Zidane
Other top clubs:
- Juventus: 8 wins
- AC Milan: 8 wins
- Bayern Munich: 5 wins
- Manchester United: 4 wins
2024 Ballon d’Or Winner: Rodri
Rodri became the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, making him the first Manchester City player to claim the award. The Spanish midfielder earned the honor after:
- Helping Manchester City win their fourth straight Premier League title
- Leading Spain to Euro 2024 victory and winning Player of the Tournament
- Completing an exceptional season with only one defeat
Rodri is only the second Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or, following Luis Suarez in 1960. His victory over favorite Vinicius Junior surprised many football fans.
Women’s Ballon d’Or Winners
The Women’s Ballon d’Or (Ballon d’Or Féminin) started in 2018, recognizing the best female footballer. Recent winners include:
- 2024: Aitana Bonmati (Spain, Barcelona)
- 2023: Aitana Bonmati (Spain, Barcelona)
- 2022: Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)
- 2021: Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)
- 2020: Not awarded
- 2019: Megan Rapinoe (USA)
- 2018: Ada Hegerberg (Norway)
Spanish players from Barcelona have dominated recent years, with both Putellas and Bonmati winning back-to-back awards.
How Ballon d’Or Winners Are Chosen
The Ballon d’Or voting process involves 100 journalists from the top-ranked FIFA nations. Each voter selects their top five players from a 30-person shortlist.
Voting points system:
- First place: 6 points
- Second place: 4 points
- Third place: 3 points
- Fourth place: 2 points
- Fifth place: 1 point
Voting criteria include:
- Individual performance during the season
- Team achievements
- Player behavior and fair play
Interesting Ballon d’Or Facts and Records
Age Records:
- Youngest winner: Ronaldo (21 years, 96 days) in 1997
- Oldest winner: Stanley Matthews (41 years, 10 months) in 1956
Unique Achievements:
- Only goalkeeper to win: Lev Yashin in 1963
- First non-European winner: George Weah in 1995
- First African winner: George Weah in 1995
- Only defender to win twice: Franz Beckenbauer
Historical Milestones:
- Most nominations: Cristiano Ronaldo with 18
- Longest top-three streak: Messi with 11 consecutive podium finishes
- No award given in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic
The Ballon d’Or winners represent the pinnacle of football excellence, with each recipient joining an exclusive club of the world’s greatest players.
From Stanley Matthews in 1956 to Rodri in 2024, these athletes have demonstrated the skill, dedication, and performance that define football’s highest individual honor.
