The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious individual awards in world football, recognising the best player of the year based on their performances and achievements.
Established by French magazine France Football in 1956, the award has been won by several legendary footballers, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Johan Cruyff.
Over the decades, the prestigious trophy has celebrated some of football’s greatest talents, with Messi holding the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins. The Argentine superstar has won the award eight times, while his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the honour on five occasions.
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The latest winner is French forward Ousmane Dembele, who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or following an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The 2026 ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, with the next winner set to be announced at the event.
Ballon d’Or Winners List From 1956 to 2026
Here is the complete year-by-year list of men's Ballon d’Or winners from the inaugural edition in 1956 through the latest confirmed winner in 2025.
Year | Ballon d’Or Winner |
1956 | Stanley Matthews |
1957 | Alfredo Di Stéfano |
1958 | Raymond Kopa |
1959 | Alfredo Di Stéfano |
1960 | Luis Suárez |
1961 | Omar Sívori |
1962 | Josef Masopust |
1963 | Lev Yashin |
1964 | Denis Law |
1965 | Eusébio |
1966 | Bobby Charlton |
1967 | Flórián Albert |
1968 | George Best |
1969 | Gianni Rivera |
1970 | Gerd Müller |
1971 | Johan Cruyff |
1972 | Franz Beckenbauer |
1973 | Johan Cruyff |
1974 | Johan Cruyff |
1975 | Oleg Blokhin |
1976 | Franz Beckenbauer |
1977 | Allan Simonsen |
1978 | Kevin Keegan |
1979 | Kevin Keegan |
1980 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge |
1981 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge |
1982 | Paolo Rossi |
1983 | Michel Platini |
1984 | Michel Platini |
1985 | Michel Platini |
1986 | Igor Belanov |
1987 | Ruud Gullit |
1988 | Marco van Basten |
1989 | Marco van Basten |
1990 | Lothar Matthäus |
1991 | Jean-Pierre Papin |
1992 | Marco van Basten |
1993 | Roberto Baggio |
1994 | Hristo Stoichkov |
1995 | George Weah |
1996 | Matthias Sammer |
1997 | Ronaldo Nazário |
1998 | Zinedine Zidane |
1999 | Rivaldo |
2000 | Luís Figo |
2001 | Michael Owen |
2002 | Ronaldo Nazário |
2003 | Pavel Nedvěd |
2004 | Andriy Shevchenko |
2005 | Ronaldinho |
2006 | Fabio Cannavaro |
2007 | Kaká |
2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
2009 | Lionel Messi |
2010 | Lionel Messi |
2011 | Lionel Messi |
2012 | Lionel Messi |
2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
2015 | Lionel Messi |
2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
2018 | Luka Modrić |
2019 | Lionel Messi |
2020 | Not awarded |
2021 | Lionel Messi |
2022 | Karim Benzema |
2023 | Lionel Messi |
2024 | Rodri |
2025 | Ousmane Dembele |
2026 | To be announced |
Note: The 2020 Ballon d’Or was cancelled, with France Football citing the exceptional circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Who Has Won the Most Ballon d’Or Awards?
Lionel Messi leads the all-time standings with eight Ballon d’Or awards. Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five, while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten have each won the trophy three times.
Rank | Player | Ballon d’Or Wins |
1 | Lionel Messi | 8 |
2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 5 |
3 | Michel Platini | 3 |
4 | Johan Cruyff | 3 |
5 | Marco van Basten | 3 |
6 | Franz Beckenbauer | 2 |
7 | Ronaldo Nazário | 2 |
8 | Alfredo Di Stéfano | 2 |
9 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | 2 |
10 | Kevin Keegan | 2 |
Messi’s record includes four consecutive victories between 2009 and 2012, followed by further triumphs in 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. Ronaldo won his five awards in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Who Won the Latest Ballon d’Or?
Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 men's Ballon d’Or after helping Paris Saint-Germain enjoy a remarkable campaign, including their maiden UEFA Champions League title.
His performances earned him the sport's most prestigious individual honour.