22 Football Clubs with the Most Ballon d’Or Winners – Ranked
Since 1956, the Ballon d'Or has crowned the best footballer in the world each year—and behind many of those legendary winners stands an iconic club. From storied European giants to surprise inclusions, here’s a look at the 22 clubs whose players have lifted football’s most prestigious individual prize, ranked by the number of winners.
22. Manchester City (1 Winner)
After years of dominance under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City finally had a Ballon d'Or winner in 2024. Midfield maestro Rodri took the honors after a treble-winning season, edging out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
21. Marseille (1 Winner)
Jean-Pierre Papin claimed the award in 1991, having led Marseille to a Ligue 1 title and a European Cup final. He remained the only Ballon d'Or winner from a French club until Lionel Messi's win with PSG.
20. Liverpool (1 Winner)
Michael Owen earned Liverpool's sole Ballon d'Or in 2001 following a treble-winning season that included standout FA Cup final goals. He beat stars like Figo and Beckham but struggled to sustain that peak.
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19. Ferencvaros (1 Winner)
Hungarian legend Florian Albert won the 1967 Ballon d'Or, beating out Sir Bobby Charlton. A one-club man, he scored over 250 goals for Ferencvaros while playing in a style well ahead of his time.
18. Dynamo Moscow (1 Winner)
Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or, claiming the title in 1963. His performances for Dynamo Moscow and the USSR earned him eternal recognition as one of football’s all-time greats.
17. Dukla Prague (1 Winner)
Josef Masopust became Dukla Prague’s lone Ballon d'Or winner in 1962 after helping Czechoslovakia to a World Cup final. The now-defunct club will forever be tied to his legacy.
16. Borussia Mönchengladbach (1 Winner)
Allan Simonsen won the 1977 Ballon d'Or after guiding Mönchengladbach to the Bundesliga title and a European Cup final. He later joined Barcelona but enjoyed his greatest success in Germany.
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15. Borussia Dortmund (1 Winner)
Matthias Sammer was honored in 1996 after helping Germany win the Euros and Dortmund to domestic success. A defensive specialist, he beat out Ronaldo and Shearer that year.
14. Blackpool (1 Winner)
Sir Stanley Matthews won the very first Ballon d'Or in 1956 at the age of 41. Still the oldest recipient, his career extended into his 50s, making him a true icon of English football.
13. Benfica (1 Winner)
Eusébio secured Benfica's only Ballon d'Or in 1965, scoring 48 goals that season. A Portuguese hero and club legend, his lethal finishing made him a standout of his era.
12. Ajax (1 Winner)
Johan Cruyff won his first Ballon d'Or in 1971 while with Ajax, laying the groundwork for his future greatness. He would go on to win two more, though only one came during his time in Amsterdam.
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11. Inter Miami (1 Winner)
Lionel Messi added an eighth Ballon d'Or to his name in 2023 while playing for Inter Miami. Although his MLS campaign was modest, his World Cup win with Argentina sealed the deal.
10. Paris Saint-Germain (2 Winners)
Messi was PSG's first Ballon d'Or winner in 2021, followed by Ousmane Dembele in 2025. Both wins stirred debate, especially Dembele’s, but they added prestige to the French club.
9. Hamburg (2 Winners)
Kevin Keegan won back-to-back Ballon d'Ors in 1978 and 1979 with Hamburg. His success helped raise the Bundesliga club's international profile during a golden era.
8. Inter Milan (2 Winners)
Lothar Matthäus won in 1990 after a stellar World Cup, and Ronaldo Nazario followed in 1997 despite scoring most of his goals that year for Barcelona. Both wins added star power to Inter’s history.
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7. Dynamo Kiev (2 Winners)
Oleg Blokhin and Igor Belanov won the Ballon d'Or in 1975 and 1986, respectively. Their triumphs reflect Dynamo Kiev's strength during the Soviet football era.
6. Manchester United (4 Winners)
Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, and George Best all claimed the award in the 1960s. Cristiano Ronaldo added a fourth for the Red Devils in 2008 after a stellar Champions League-winning campaign.
5. Bayern Munich (5 Winners)
Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge each won it twice, while Gerd Müller also picked up the award. Bayern's dominance in German football is reflected in these individual accolades.
4. AC Milan (8 Winners)
Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and George Weah are among six players who won the Ballon d'Or while at Milan. The club's golden years in the late 80s and mid-2000s were particularly fruitful.
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3. Juventus (8 Winners)
Michel Platini’s three consecutive wins in the 1980s led the way for Juve. Zinedine Zidane, Pavel Nedved, and Roberto Baggio also contributed to the club’s impressive tally.
2. Real Madrid (12 Winners)
Karim Benzema’s 2022 win brought Real Madrid level with Barcelona at 12. Cristiano Ronaldo’s four awards, alongside victories from Modric, Cannavaro, and Di Stefano, highlight the club’s legacy.
1. Barcelona (12 Winners)
Messi’s six Ballon d'Or wins at Barcelona doubled the club’s total to 12. Other winners include Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Luis Suárez (the Spaniard, not the Uruguayan).
