- By Manik Sharma
- Mon, 30 Oct 2023 04:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ballon d'Or Winners Full List: The Ballon d'Or is an annual football accolade presented to the standout player of the previous year, with its inauguration dating back to 1956. The most recent recipient of this prestigious award was Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in 2022.
Notably, Lionel Messi holds the record with seven Ballon d'Or wins, followed closely by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has clinched the honour five times.
In 2023, the football world awaits with anticipation as the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or are unveiled. Lionel Messi, a seven-time recipient, stands as a favourite, along with Norwegian international Erling Haaland.
Manchester City striker Haaland was crowned the UEFA Men's Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season. Haaland faced stiff competition from fellow teammate Kevin De Bruyne and football legend Lionel Messi but emerged as the victor in this prestigious accolade.
The unveiling of the Ballon d'Or winners will take place on October 30 at the renowned Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
Full List of Men's Ballon d'Or Award Winners:
- 2023: [Yet to be announced]
- 2022: Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)
- 2021: Lionel Messi (Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain F.C.)
- 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)
- 2004: Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine, Milan)
- 2003: Pavel Nedvěd (Czechia, Juventus)
- 2002: Ronaldo (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- 2001: Michael Owen (England, Liverpool)
- 2000: Luís Figo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
- 1999: Rivaldo (Brazil, Barcelona)
- 1998: Zinedine Zidane (France, Juventus)
- 1997: Ronaldo (Brazil, Internazionale)
- 1996: Matthias Sammer (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)
- 1995: George Weah (Liberia, Milan)
- 1994: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria, Barcelona)
- 1993: Roberto Baggio (Italy, Juventus)
- 1992: Marco van Basten (Netherlands, Milan)
- 1991: Jean-Pierre Papin (France, Marseille)
- 1990: Lothar Matthäus (Germany, Internazionale)
- 1989: Marco van Basten (Netherlands, Milan)
- 1988: Marco van Basten (Netherlands, Milan)
- 1987: Ruud Gullit (Netherlands, Milan)
- 1986: Igor Belanov (Soviet Union, Dynamo Kyiv)
- 1985: Michel Platini (France, Juventus)
- 1984: Michel Platini (France, Juventus)
- 1983: Michel Platini (France, Juventus)
- 1982: Paolo Rossi (Italy, Juventus)
- 1981: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany, Bayern Munich)
- 1980: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany, Bayern Munich)
- 1979: Kevin Keegan (England, Hamburg)
- 1978: Kevin Keegan (England, Hamburg)
- 1977: Allan Simonsen (Denmark, Borussia Monchengladbach)
- 1976: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany, Bayern Munich)
- 1975: Oleg Blokhin (Soviet Union, Dynamo Kyiv)
- 1974: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands, Barcelona)
- 1973: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands, Barcelona)
- 1972: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany, Bayern Munich)
- 1971: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands, Ajax)
- 1970: Gerd Müller (West Germany, Bayern Munich)
- 1969: Gianni Rivera (Italy, Milan)
- 1968: George Best (Northern Ireland, Manchester United)
- 1967: Flórián Albert (Hungary, Ferencvarosi TC)
- 1966: Bobby Charlton (England, Manchester United)
- 1965: Eusébio (Portugal, Benfica)
- 1964: Denis Law (Scotland, Manchester United)
- 1963: Lev Yashin (Soviet Union, Dynamo Moscow)
- 1962: Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia, Dukla Prague)
- 1961: Omar Sívori (Italy, Juventus)
- 1960: Luis Suárez (Spain, Barcelona)
- 1959: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina, Real Madrid)
- 1958: Raymond Kopa (France, Real Madrid)
- 1957: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina, Real Madrid)
- 1956: Stanley Matthews (England, Blackpool)
Brief History Of Players Who Have Won Ballon d'Or Multiple Times:
1. Lionel Messi - The Argentine maestro has been synonymous with football excellence, winning his first Ballon d'Or in 2009, and then claiming the title six more times (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021). His unrivalled dribbling, playmaking, and goal-scoring prowess have set him apart.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - The Portuguese powerhouse won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 and went on to secure the title four more times (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). His incredible athleticism, goal-scoring ability, and consistency have been his hallmarks.
3. Marco van Basten - The Dutch striker secured the award thrice (1988, 1989, 1992) with his clinical finishing and goal-scoring prowess.
4. Michel Platini - The French midfielder dominated the early 1980s, clinching the award three times (1983, 1984, 1985) due to his exceptional playmaking and scoring abilities.
5. Johan Cruyff - The Dutch legend won the Ballon d'Or three times (1971, 1973, 1974) thanks to his innovative Total Football philosophy and skill on the pitch.
6. Ronaldo - The Brazilian phenomenon secured the Ballon d'Or twice (1997, 2002) with his breathtaking speed and goal-scoring prowess, making him one of the greatest strikers of all time.
7. Kevin Keegan - The English forward claimed the Ballon d'Or twice (1978, 1979) due to his impressive goal-scoring feats in the late 1970s.
8. Franz Beckenbauer - The German sweeper won twice (1972, 1976) with his commanding presence in defence and playmaking abilities.
9. Alfredo Di Stéfano - The Argentine-Spanish forward achieved the award twice (1957, 1959) for his versatility and leadership on the field.
The Ballon d'Or historically had restrictions, considering only European players in European clubs. The players like Pele (Brazil) and Maradona (Argentina) could not contend for the award during their peak years. It was not until 1991 that the FIFA Player of the Year award was introduced, but by then, some players had already missed out on this recognition.
