The greatest Ballon d’Or winners in football history

October 22, 2025 Oliver Obel

Few honours in football carry the same weight as the Ballon d’Or. Since its creation, the award has been a symbol of brilliance, rewarding those who’ve defined eras and inspired generations. Some lifted the golden ball once, others made it their own personal trophy cabinet. From the elegant playmakers to the unstoppable goalscorers, these are the 12 greatest winners of all time, ranked in reverse order.

12. Rivaldo – Brazil’s Golden Left Foot

Photo: Colin McPhedran / Shutterstock.com

At the peak of his powers, Rivaldo was a genius capable of changing any game with one magical touch. His 1999 season with Barcelona was the stuff of legends, combining lethal finishing with outrageous technique. He scored breathtaking goals from distance, glided past defenders with ease, and carried his team to trophies. Rivaldo wasn’t just a forward; he was a showman who made football look effortless. His Ballon d’Or triumph remains one of the most deserved in modern history.

11. Michel Platini – The French Maestro

Few players have ever dominated Europe quite like Michel Platini did in the 1980s. The Frenchman’s elegant style and vision made him the heartbeat of both Juventus and the national team. Winning the Ballon d’Or three years in a row from 1983 to 1985, Platini combined goalscoring brilliance with sublime playmaking. He led France to European glory in 1984, cementing his place among football’s elite. His ability to control a match remains the hallmark of a true midfield genius.

10. Kaka – The Last King Before the Messi-Ronaldo Era

When Kaka glided across the pitch, it felt like time slowed down. In 2007, the Brazilian lit up Europe with AC Milan, guiding them to Champions League glory with 10 goals and a series of unforgettable performances. He beat both Messi and Ronaldo to the Ballon d’Or that year, becoming the last player to do so before their duopoly began. Kaka combined elegance, speed, and vision in a way that few players could replicate. For one glorious season, he was the undisputed best in the world.

9. Ronaldinho – The Magician Who Made the World Smile

At his best, Ronaldinho didn’t just play football—he performed it. The Brazilian superstar won the 2005 Ballon d’Or after dazzling Europe with his unmatched flair for FC Barcelona. His dribbling and creativity redefined what a footballer could do on the biggest stage. Ronaldinho’s smile, tricks, and breathtaking goals made him a global icon. In a sport often dominated by structure, he reminded everyone of the joy of pure, expressive football.

8. Marco van Basten – The Elegant Killer

Marco van Basten was a striker of pure class. With three Ballon d’Or trophies to his name, he remains one of the most clinical forwards in football history. His spectacular volley in the Euro 1988 final became a symbol of Dutch brilliance. At AC Milan, he led one of the greatest teams ever assembled, scoring with both power and finesse. Injuries may have cut his career short, but his legacy remains untouched.

7. Lothar Matthäus – The Warrior Leader

Lothar Matthäus was the embodiment of German steel and determination. In 1990, he captained West Germany to World Cup glory, dominating the tournament from midfield. His leadership, tactical intelligence, and relentless engine made him a force of nature. Winning the Ballon d’Or that same year was a natural reward for a man who defined an era. Few midfielders have ever blended elegance and toughness quite like Matthäus.

6. Franz Beckenbauer – The Kaiser of Football

The word “libero” is almost synonymous with Franz Beckenbauer. The German icon changed the way defenders played, becoming the first true playmaking sweeper. He won the Ballon d’Or twice, in 1972 and 1976, as he led both FC Bayern Munich and West Germany to unprecedented success. Beckenbauer’s elegance on the ball, combined with impeccable positioning, made him unique in football history. He wasn’t just a defender—he was the heartbeat of every team he played in.

5. Ronaldo Nazário – The Phenomenon

No striker struck fear into defenders quite like Ronaldo Nazário. Explosive, clinical and technically gifted, he won the Ballon d’Or twice in 1997 and 2002. His first came after a mind-blowing season at FC Barcelona, while his second crowned a heroic World Cup comeback with Brazil. After years of injuries, he returned to dominate the world stage, scoring twice in the final against Germany. Ronaldo was the definition of a generational talent—pure, unstoppable magic.

4. Johan Cruyff – The Architect of Total Football

Johan Cruyff was far more than a footballer; he was a football philosopher. Winning the Ballon d’Or three times in the early 1970s, he led AFC Ajax and the Netherlands with an intelligence and creativity that revolutionised the game. Cruyff’s elegance, movement, and vision made him the embodiment of Total Football. His famous turn is still one of the most iconic moves in the sport. He didn’t just win games—he changed football forever.

3. Zinedine Zidane – The Artist

When Zinedine Zidane touched the ball, the game became poetry. The Frenchman claimed the Ballon d’Or in 1998 after guiding France to their first ever World Cup triumph. His grace, technique, and ability to dominate the biggest matches set him apart from his peers. Zidane’s influence stretched far beyond statistics; he was the heartbeat of every side he played for. His legacy as one of the most elegant playmakers in history is unshakable.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – The Relentless Machine

Cristiano Ronaldo has spent his career breaking records and redefining what excellence looks like. With five Ballon d’Or trophies to his name, he became a symbol of relentless ambition and unmatched goalscoring power. At Manchester United FC and Real Madrid CF, he won everything, delivering in the moments that mattered most. His incredible athleticism, mentality and finishing made him a footballing phenomenon. Ronaldo’s name will forever be linked to greatness.

1. Lionel Messi – The Greatest of Them All

No one has lifted the Ballon d’Or more than Lionel Messi. With eight golden balls, he has set a standard that may never be matched. The Argentine magician combined impossible dribbling, extraordinary vision and ruthless efficiency, writing history with FC Barcelona and Argentina. His 91-goal year in 2012 remains one of the most jaw-dropping achievements in football. Messi didn’t just win matches; he defined an era, inspiring millions along the way.