The Footballers with the Most Individual Awards in History

September 18, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

Trophies tell one story, but individual awards paint another. In the team-first world of football, personal accolades help highlight the brilliance of players who consistently shine—even when silverware is out of reach. From Lionel Messi’s unmatched greatness to Johan Cruyff’s elegant legacy, here are the ten footballers who’ve racked up the most personal honors in the sport’s history. All rankings are based on verified individual accolades, not club or team achievements.

10. Johan Cruyff — 10 Awards

Johan Cruyff wasn’t just a footballer—he was a football philosopher. His dazzling dribbling, football IQ, and tactical influence shaped how the game is played today. Cruyff won three Ballon d'Or titles in the early 1970s, a testament to his dominance during that golden Ajax era. His career included Eredivisie and European top scorer honors, plus individual praise late into his career. Though he's 10th on this list, Cruyff’s legacy is arguably the most culturally enduring.

9. Alfredo Di Stéfano — 12 Awards

Alfredo Di Stefano — See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Alfredo Di Stéfano is the only man to ever win the Super Ballon d'Or, awarded in 1989 for being the best player of the previous 30 years. The Real Madrid legend also won two regular Ballon d'Or trophies and was named Spanish Player of the Year four times. He starred for both Argentina and Spain and topped scoring charts in multiple domestic leagues. Di Stéfano’s impact was felt not only through his goals but through his total control of matches.

8. Michel Platini — 12 Awards

Michel Platini owned the midfield and the scoreboard. With three consecutive Ballon d'Or wins from 1983 to 1985, the French maestro dominated both club and international football. He was the top scorer and best player at Euro 1984, guiding France to their first major international trophy. Platini also finished top scorer in Serie A three seasons running—almost unheard of for a midfielder.

7. Zinedine Zidane — 13 Awards

Zinedine Zidane's football story is rich with magic and major moments. He lifted the Ballon d’Or in 1998 after leading France to World Cup glory. He also won the FIFA World Player of the Year three times. Zidane was a master of the big stage, from his unforgettable World Cup final headers to his Champions League-winning volley. Across Europe, he was celebrated as a generational talent with elegance and power.

6. Eusébio — 17 Awards

Eusebio — Panini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Portuguese icon Eusébio was one of football’s deadliest finishers. He claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1965 and won the European Golden Shoe twice. Eusébio was a seven-time top scorer in Portugal’s top league and left his mark on the international stage, scoring nine goals in the 1966 World Cup. His raw power and long-range shots made him a feared opponent for any defense.

5. Gerd Müller — 18 Awards

Known as “Der Bomber,” Gerd Müller is a Bundesliga and World Cup legend. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1970 and finished top scorer in the Bundesliga seven times. Müller also topped the scoring charts in four different European Cup campaigns. His low center of gravity, lethal finishing, and goal-per-game ratio made him one of the most efficient forwards in football history.

4. Ronaldo Nazário — 18 Awards

Ronaldo de Nazario — Warehouse of Images / Shutterstock.com

Ronaldo, or “R9,” combined blistering pace with supernatural skill. He won two Ballons d'Or and was a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year. His jaw-dropping 2002 World Cup return, where he claimed the Golden Shoe, is still legendary. R9 also topped scoring charts in Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands, proving his class across continents. Injuries may have shortened his prime, but not his greatness.

3. Marco van Basten — 20 Awards

Despite an early retirement at 31, Van Basten packed a legendary career into a short span. He won three Ballons d’Or, was top scorer in multiple leagues, and dazzled at Euro 1988, scoring one of the most iconic goals in history. With 20 total awards, Van Basten was a complete striker—graceful in movement, deadly in the box, and revered in both Ajax and AC Milan colors.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo — 33 Awards

Cristiano Ronaldo’s career is a relentless pursuit of excellence. With five Ballons d'Or and four European Golden Shoes, he’s topped scoring charts in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Saudi Pro League. He’s also been named the best player in three different domestic leagues and was crowned FIFA’s top player five times. Ronaldo is football’s ultimate machine: consistent, ambitious, and always evolving.

1. Lionel Messi — 53 Awards

No one has won more individual awards than Lionel Messi. The Argentine magician owns eight Ballon d'Or titles, six European Golden Shoes, and 14 Argentina Player of the Year awards. Messi has been named Best FIFA Men’s Player three times and topped scoring charts in virtually every competition he played. His career peaked again with Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win, reaffirming his place as arguably the greatest footballer of all time.