The 10 Best Ballon d’Or Seasons Since 2000 – Ranked
Winning the Ballon d'Or is the highest individual accolade in football, awarded to the player who has made the biggest impact over a season. But some campaigns are more than just great — they are legendary. In the modern game, where data and stats help us measure performance more precisely than ever, we can look beyond trophies and simply count how many times a player directly influenced a goal.
Since the turn of the millennium, we have seen Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo redefine what it means to dominate a season, with record-breaking numbers that may never be repeated. Their extraordinary consistency, combined with occasional flashes of brilliance from players like Karim Benzema, has created a golden era of Ballon d'Or history. These seasons are not just about individual brilliance but also about carrying clubs to league titles, European glory, and international triumphs.
In this article, we rank the 10 best Ballon d'Or-winning seasons of the 21st century, based purely on goals and assists. Starting from number 10 and counting down to number 1, we revisit the most complete campaigns ever produced by football’s finest talents — seasons that redefined greatness and left fans in awe.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2017 (66 G+A in 60 games)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2016-17 season was a story of clutch performances and big-match brilliance. He delivered hat-tricks against Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid in the Champions League knockout stages, then scored twice in the final against Juventus. His performances not only secured Real Madrid’s first La Liga and Champions League double in decades but also cemented his status as the ultimate big-game player.
Read also: The 40 Greatest Formula 1 Races - Ranked from Lowest to Highest
9. Karim Benzema – 2021 (66 G+A in 56 games)
Karim Benzema’s 2021 Ballon d'Or win marked the moment he was finally recognized as the centerpiece of Real Madrid’s attack. With Ronaldo gone, Benzema became the leader of the team, combining elegant link-up play with lethal finishing. He was crucial in almost every match, scoring decisive goals and assisting teammates with flair, proving he was far more than just a traditional striker.
8. Lionel Messi – 2019 (69 G+A in 58 games)
Even as Barcelona struggled to dominate Europe, Lionel Messi delivered one of his most complete campaigns in 2019. He won the European Golden Shoe, produced jaw-dropping free-kick goals, and dragged Barcelona to yet another La Liga title. His individual brilliance was so overwhelming that he still claimed the Ballon d'Or despite Barça’s collapse against Liverpool in the Champions League.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2016 (72 G+A in 57 games)
Ronaldo’s 2016 season was unforgettable because of his contributions for both club and country. He led Real Madrid to Champions League glory, scoring the decisive penalty in the final against Atlético Madrid. Then, in the summer, he inspired Portugal to their first-ever major trophy at Euro 2016, showing his leadership and determination on the biggest stage.
6. Lionel Messi – 2010 (81 G+A in 64 games)
Messi’s 2010 campaign was the perfect blend of artistry and productivity. He became the focal point of Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka Barcelona, dazzling opponents with dribbles, passes, and goals. That year, he scored four goals against Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals — a performance often considered one of the best individual displays in the competition’s history.
Read also: Premier League TV Money: Who’s Earning the Most in 2025/26?
5. Lionel Messi – 2015 (82 G+A in 61 games)
The 2014-15 season saw Messi reinvent himself slightly, dropping deeper to link play and forming the legendary "MSN" trio with Neymar and Luis Suárez. Together, they guided Barcelona to a historic treble, with Messi playing a part in nearly every crucial moment. His solo goal against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final remains one of the defining highlights of his career.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2014 (85 G+A in 60 games)
Ronaldo was in unstoppable form throughout 2013-14, finishing with more than a goal contribution per game. He broke the Champions League single-season goalscoring record with 17 strikes, leading Real Madrid to their long-awaited "La Décima." This was Ronaldo at the peak of his powers — combining physical dominance with ruthless finishing.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2013 (87 G+A in 59 games)
The 2013 season was all about Ronaldo’s sheer willpower and relentless drive. He scored 69 goals in the calendar year, including a legendary playoff hat-trick against Sweden that single-handedly sent Portugal to the World Cup. Despite Real Madrid falling short of major trophies, his individual brilliance was too much to ignore for Ballon d'Or voters.
2. Lionel Messi – 2011 (97 G+A in 70 games)
Messi’s 2010-11 season is often considered the most perfect expression of Guardiola’s Barcelona. He scored in the Champions League final against Manchester United and was the conductor of the best team football many have ever seen. His 53 goals and 34 assists across all competitions highlighted his ability to be both a scorer and a creator.
Read also: The 25 Greatest Serie A Players of the 21st Century – Ranked
1. Lionel Messi – 2012 (117 G+A in 69 games)
No player has ever had a season quite like Lionel Messi’s 2012 campaign. He scored an astonishing 91 goals across the calendar year and added 26 assists, putting together a record-breaking 117 goal contributions. This remains the gold standard for individual excellence in football history and is unlikely to ever be matched.
