The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious awards in football. It is given to the player who performs the best in a calendar year. France Football presents this award based on votes from journalists. Many great players have won it multiple times, though winning it even once is a huge achievement. Only the top players in the world have a chance to win this award. Originally, the Ballon d’Or winner in football was only for European players or those in European clubs. Since 2007, it has been open to players from all over the world.
Here are the Top 5 Ballon d’Or Winner in Football:
5. Marco van Basten
Marco van Basten is one of only five players to have won the Ballon d’Or three times or more. The Dutch football legend earned this prestigious award in 1988, 1989, and 1992, showcasing his incredible talent over several years. Alongside his Ballon d’Or victories, van Basten achieved great success with both his national team and his club. He won the UEFA Euro trophy with the Netherlands, highlighting his role in their European triumph. Additionally, he secured two Champions League titles with AC Milan, further cementing his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
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4. Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff is highly respected in football for his impact on the game. He was a key figure in promoting the “Total Football” style, which changed the way football is played and still influences the game today. The Dutch legend won the European club trophy three times with Ajax. He also won the Dutch Eredivisie nine times and the Spanish La Liga once with FC Barcelona. Cruyff earned the Ballon d’Or award in 1971, 1973, and 1974.
3. Michel Platini
French football legend Michel Platini won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row, in 1983, 1984, and 1985. As one of the best midfielders of his time, Platini led France to win the UEFA Euro, and he also won the Champions League and two Serie A titles with Juventus. Additionally, he served as the President of UEFA until 2015.
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2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times. Between 2008 and 2021, he and Lionel Messi shared the award almost every year, winning it 12 out of 13 times. During this period, the award was mostly a contest between these two football legends. Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, and he also finished in second place six times.
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or awards, having won it eight times in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. This record is especially impressive and may never be broken due to Messi’s long career and consistent performance. All his Ballon d’Or wins came while he was at FC Barcelona, and he has not yet won it with Paris Saint-Germain.
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