Top 10 football clubs with the most Ballon d’Or winners

October 24, 2025 Kris Isaksen

The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious individual award, reserved for players who have delivered extraordinary performances over the year. While talent plays a major role, club success and profile often go hand in hand. Here’s a look at the top 10 clubs with the most Ballon d’Or winners — from rising challengers to iconic powerhouses.

10. Paris Saint-Germain (2 wins)

Messi PSG — Victor Velter / Shutterstock.com

Lionel Messi became the first PSG player to win the Ballon d'Or in 2021, though many argued Robert Lewandowski deserved it that year. Ousmane Dembélé followed in 2025 after a stellar Champions League campaign, though his win also sparked debate over merit.

9. Hamburg (2 wins)

Kevin Keegan claimed back-to-back Ballon d'Or trophies in 1978 and 1979 while at Hamburg, becoming their sole winner. His performances in Germany were the culmination of a brilliant career that had already begun at Liverpool.

8. Inter Milan (2 wins)

Lothar Matthäus earned Inter's first Ballon d'Or in 1990 after his World Cup triumph with West Germany. Ronaldo followed in 1997, winning the award thanks to his explosive form earlier that year with Barcelona, though he was with Inter at the time.

7. Dynamo Kiev (2 wins)

Dynamo Kiev’s golden years in the 1970s and '80s produced two Ballon d'Or winners: Oleg Blokhin in 1975 and Igor Belanov in 1986. Both played key roles in their club’s European success and shone on the international stage for the Soviet Union.

6. Manchester United (4 wins)

Manchester United’s legendary trio — Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best — all won the award during the 1960s. Cristiano Ronaldo added the club’s fourth in 2008 after a Champions League-winning season, marking the start of his Ballon d'Or legacy.

5. Bayern Munich (5 wins)

Three German legends won five Ballon d'Ors while at Bayern: Franz Beckenbauer (2), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (2), and Gerd Müller (1). Robert Lewandowski might have added another in 2020, but the award was cancelled due to the pandemic.

4. AC Milan (8 wins)

Six players brought eight Ballon d’Ors to AC Milan, including three for Marco van Basten before his early retirement. Other winners include Ruud Gullit, Gianni Rivera, George Weah, Andriy Shevchenko, and Kaka, showing the club’s long history of elite talent.

3. Juventus (8 wins)

Michel Platini led the way for Juventus with three consecutive wins in the 1980s. Zinedine Zidane, Pavel Nedved, Omar Sivori, Roberto Baggio, and Paolo Rossi also earned the honour while playing in Turin, reflecting the club’s rich legacy in midfield and attack.

2. Barcelona (12 wins)

Before Lionel Messi, Barcelona had six Ballon d’Ors — he doubled that tally with his record-breaking run. Other winners include Johan Cruyff (2), Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Luis Suárez (1960), and Hristo Stoichkov, highlighting the club’s consistent flair and dominance.

1. Real Madrid (12 wins)

Ronaldo Nazário — Maxisport / Shutterstock.com

Real Madrid matched Barcelona’s 12 wins with Karim Benzema’s 2022 award. From Di Stefano’s dominance in the late 1950s to Cristiano Ronaldo’s four trophies, plus wins by Luka Modric, Fabio Cannavaro, Ronaldo Nazario, and Luis Figo — Madrid’s Ballon d'Or lineage runs deep.