Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Gerd Muller

10 Players with the Most Individual Awards in Football History (Ranked)

September 8, 2025 Kris Isaksen

Individual accolades in football often reflect personal brilliance more accurately than team trophies. From top scorers to Ballon d'Or winners, these legends have stacked up the most personal honours in the game. Here's a countdown from 10 to 1 of the players with the highest number of individual awards.

10. Johan Cruyff – 10 Awards

Johan Cruyff was as graceful on the pitch as he was visionary off it. With three Ballon d'Or titles and Dutch Footballer of the Year wins across three different decades, his legacy is unmatched in elegance and influence.

9. Alfredo Di Stefano – 12 Awards

Di Stefano made history as the only winner of the Super Ballon d'Or in 1989, crowning his legendary run at Real Madrid. Switching national allegiances from Argentina to Spain, he dominated both club and international scenes with incredible consistency.

8. Michel Platini – 12 Awards

Platini combined midfield control with forward firepower, leading France to European Championship glory in 1984. His back-to-back-to-back Ballon d'Or wins from 1983 to 1985 solidified his status as a footballing force.

7. Zinedine Zidane – 13 Awards

Zidane’s masterclass in the 1998 World Cup earned him both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year. His tournament brilliance carried into Euro 2000 and the 2006 World Cup, where he was again recognized as one of the best.

6. Eusebio – 17 Awards

Eusebio’s striking power brought him seven Portuguese league top scorer awards and a World Cup Golden Boot in 1966. His legacy lives on as one of the deadliest finishers the sport has ever seen.

5. Gerd Muller – 18 Awards

A goal machine for Bayern Munich and Germany, Gerd Muller was Bundesliga's top scorer in seven seasons. His four European Cup top scorer awards and a Ballon d'Or highlight his clinical dominance across Europe.

4. Ronaldo Nazário – 18 Awards

Ronaldo de Nazario — Warehouse of Images / Shutterstock.com

Ronaldo, known as 'R9', thrilled fans at clubs like Inter, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. Two Ballon d'Ors and a legendary 2002 World Cup run made him one of the most decorated strikers in football history.

3. Marco van Basten – 20 Awards

Injuries cut Van Basten’s career short, but not before he racked up 20 major individual accolades. With three Ballon d'Ors and a stunning Euro 1988 campaign, he remains one of the greatest Dutch talents ever.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 33 Awards

Cristiano Ronaldo has conquered the top leagues in England, Spain, and Italy, claiming individual glory in each. With five Ballon d'Ors, four European Golden Shoes, and accolades across four decades, his legacy is global and enduring.

1. Lionel Messi – 53 Awards

Messi leads the pack with an unprecedented 53 individual awards, including eight Ballon d'Ors and 14 Argentina Player of the Year titles. From La Liga to MLS, he has dominated every level of football with unmatched brilliance.