The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious awards in football, celebrating the best player in the world each year. Over the years, many talented players have won this honor, but some stand out more than others.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 Ballon d’Or winners
5. Michel Platini
French football icon Michel Platini claimed the Ballon d’Or three years in a row, winning the prestigious award in 1983, 1984, and 1985. Renowned as one of the top midfielders of his time, Platini led France to victory in the UEFA Euro and achieved triumphs with Juventus, securing one UEFA Champions League title and two Serie A championships. He also served as the President of UEFA until 2015.
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4. Marco Van Basten
Marco van Basten is among the select few who have won the Ballon d’Or three times or more. The Dutch football icon claimed the award in 1988, 1989, and 1992. He also secured one UEFA Euro title with the Netherlands and two Champions League trophies with AC Milan.
3. Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff is highly esteemed in football. He was a key figure in developing the “Total Football” approach, which transformed the game and continues to influence it. Cruyff secured the European club title three times with Ajax and clinched the Dutch Eredivisie nine times. He also won the Spanish La Liga once with FC Barcelona. In addition, Cruyff earned the Ballon d’Or award in 1971, 1973, and 1974.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the Ballon d’Or five times. From 2008 to 2021, Lionel Messi and Ronaldo together secured the award 12 out of 13 times, highlighting their dominance in this period. Ronaldo earned the Ballon d’Or in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Additionally, he finished as the runner-up six times.
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or awards ever. He has won this prestigious accolade in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. This achievement is possibly the pinnacle of his illustrious career and might remain unmatched due to Messi’s remarkable longevity and consistent excellence. All his Ballon d’Or victories were achieved during his time at FC Barcelona, and he has yet to secure one while playing for Paris Saint-Germain. In 2023, Messi earned the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time.
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