The 20 Greatest Ballon d’Or Winners of All Time
The Ballon d’Or is football’s highest individual honor — a symbol of greatness, brilliance, and consistency. Awarded annually by France Football since 1956, it has recognized the finest talents across eras: from European icons of the past to modern global superstars.
But not all winners are remembered equally. Some defined generations. Others reshaped the game. And a few — like Messi and Ronaldo — turned excellence into routine. This list ranks the 20 greatest Ballon d’Or winners of all time, not just by how many trophies they won, but by the legacy they left behind.
Let’s count them down.
20. Luís Figo
Winner: 2000
One of Portugal’s most elegant playmakers, Figo won the Ballon d’Or after a controversial move from Barcelona to Real Madrid. A creative genius on the right flank, he was instrumental in ushering in the Galáctico era and was adored (and despised) in equal measure.
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19. George Best
Winner: 1968
A footballing rock star, Best dazzled fans with his footwork, flair, and unpredictability. He led Manchester United to their first European Cup in 1968, earning the Ballon d’Or that year. An icon of the Swinging Sixties — both on and off the pitch.
18. Roberto Baggio
Winner: 1993
Known as Il Divin Codino (The Divine Ponytail), Baggio was grace and invention incarnate. His 1993 Ballon d’Or came at the peak of his influence, as he carried both Juventus and the Italian national team with moments of pure magic.
17. Alfredo Di Stéfano
Winner: 1957, 1959
The Argentine-born maestro was the heartbeat of Real Madrid’s 1950s dynasty. A complete forward and tactical visionary, Di Stéfano dominated early European football and helped define what greatness in the sport looked like.
16. Lev Yashin
Winner: 1963
The only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d’Or, the Soviet legend revolutionized the position. Nicknamed the “Black Spider,” Yashin was fearless, commanding, and decades ahead of his time in how he read the game.
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15. Eusébio
Winner: 1965
Known as the "Black Panther," Eusébio was Portugal’s first global footballing icon. His explosive pace, lethal finishing, and dazzling World Cup performances for Portugal made him a natural Ballon d’Or winner — and a legend at Benfica.
14. Luka Modrić
Winner: 2018
In the age of Messi and Ronaldo, Modrić broke through with a stunning year: leading Croatia to the World Cup final and dictating Real Madrid’s midfield en route to another Champions League title. A playmaker of rare elegance and grit.
13. Gerd Müller
Winner: 1970
Few strikers were as ruthless as "Der Bomber." With over 700 career goals, Müller’s efficiency and movement were unmatched. His Ballon d’Or win came after a prolific World Cup year where he netted 10 goals in six games.
12. Michel Platini
Winner: 1983, 1984, 1985
One of only three players to win three consecutive Ballons d’Or, Platini was the conductor of France and Juventus in the mid-'80s. A master passer and dead-ball specialist, he played the game like a chess grandmaster.
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11. Kaká
Winner: 2007
The last player to win before the Messi-Ronaldo era began. Kaká dominated Europe with AC Milan, combining elegance, acceleration, and devastating finishing. His performances in the Champions League that year were unstoppable.
10. Rivaldo
Winner: 1999
Rivaldo could do it all — dribble, shoot, pass, and create from nothing. His 1999 Ballon d’Or came after a year of spectacular goals and clutch performances for Barcelona and Brazil. A magician in motion.
9. Ronaldinho
Winner: 2005
The smile, the samba, the spontaneity. Ronaldinho turned football into an art form. At his peak, he was untouchable — thrilling fans and dismantling defences with flair and imagination. A true artist with the Ballon d’Or to prove it.
8. Marco van Basten
Winner: 1988, 1989, 1992
Van Basten was elegance personified — a clinical finisher with perfect technique. He starred for both Ajax and AC Milan, and his legendary volley in Euro ’88 remains one of the sport’s iconic moments. Injuries shortened a glittering career, but his impact was everlasting.
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7. Lothar Matthäus
Winner: 1990
Captain of West Germany’s World Cup-winning team, Matthäus was a relentless, box-to-box machine. His Ballon d’Or win capped a season of leadership and dominance for both club and country.
6. Franz Beckenbauer
Winner: 1972, 1976
“The Kaiser” didn’t just defend — he dictated. Beckenbauer redefined the sweeper role, blending elegance with tactical brilliance. A leader on and off the pitch, his influence on modern football still lingers.
5. Zinedine Zidane
Winner: 1998
With grace, vision, and those two unforgettable headers in the World Cup final, Zidane led France to global glory. The Ballon d’Or was the cherry on top of a legendary year for one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
4. Ronaldo
Winner: 1997, 2002
Simply “O Fenômeno.” Ronaldo was devastating — combining pace, power, and unreal control. His 2002 Ballon d’Or followed a triumphant World Cup comeback, where he scored eight goals after years battling injuries. A once-in-a-lifetime talent.
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3. Johan Cruyff
Winner: 1971, 1973, 1974
The face of Total Football and one of the sport’s greatest minds. Cruyff’s intelligence, creativity, and tactical influence went far beyond his three Ballon d’Or titles. He changed how the game is played — and thought about.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Winner: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Ruthless, relentless, and record-breaking. Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Ors reflect a career defined by evolution — from tricky winger to goal-scoring machine. Whether at Manchester United, Real Madrid, or Portugal, he delivered greatness everywhere.
1. Lionel Messi
Winner: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021
With a record seven Ballon d’Or titles, Messi sits alone at the summit. His vision, balance, dribbling, and consistency are unmatched in football history. From his Barcelona peak to international glory with Argentina, Messi defined an era — and set a standard that may never be reached again.
