Ballon d'Or Winners: List and Detailed Overview
Quick Summary
The Ballon d’Or, started in 1956 by France Football, is the most prestigious football award, recognizing the world’s best player each season. Initially for European players, it expanded in 1995 to include all nationalities. Lionel Messi holds the record with 8 wins, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 5. The award’s voting process involves 100 journalists ranking players based on individual performance, team success, and fair play.
The Ballon d’Or Féminin began in 2018, with Aitana Bonmatí winning in 2023. The award highlights football excellence and elevates the global recognition of its winners.
Table of Contents
The Ballon d’Or winners! The Ballon d’Or is a prestigious annual football award presented by France Football, a French sports magazine, that honors the football players who have performed the best over the previous year since 1956. In literal terms, the Ballon d’Or means a “Golden Ball“.
The Ballon d’Or serves as a historical marker, recognizing the outstanding talents of each era and allowing fans to compare and appreciate the great players of different generations. The Ballon d’Or winners award honors the year’s most exceptional player. The history of the Ballon d’Or can be traced back to 1956, making it one of the longest-standing and most prestigious awards in the field of football.
A Look Back at the History of Ballon d’Or Winners
Every year, the Ballon d’Or celebrates the crème de la crème of footballers, honoring the world’s most outstanding player. This prestigious award boasts a rich history dating back to 1956, when two French journalists, Gabriel Hanot and Jacques Ferran, had a golden idea. They envisioned the Ballon d’Or (originally the European Footballer of the Year award) as a way to recognize the achievements of top European footballers. Over the years, the list of Ballon d’Or winners has become a testament to footballing excellence, showcasing the legends who have defined the beautiful game.
For decades, the Ballon d’Or remained a European affair. The winner was chosen by a select group of European journalists who cast their votes to crown the champion. However, in 1995, the rules underwent a significant change. The playing field was expanded – any exceptional player, regardless of nationality, could now compete, provided they played in Europe. This opened the door for Liberia’s George Weah to become the first non-European and the only African player to claim the Ballon d’Or so far.
Despite some critiques – with some arguing it prioritizes popularity over pure skill and favors attacking players – the Ballon d’Or remains the most coveted individual honor in football. Winning it places a player among a truly elite group of Ballon d’Or winners, elevating them to the highest echelons of the sport and solidifying their legacy in football history.
How The Ballon d’Or Works
The Ballon d’Or winner emerges from a meticulous voting process. Every year, a global jury of 100 journalists is assembled, with each of FIFA’s top 100 ranked nations contributing one journalist to the panel.
These journalists are presented with a shortlist of 30 exceptional footballers. They then cast their votes, ranking their top five choices in descending order of merit. The ranking system awards points: six points for the player ranked first, four points for the second, and so on, down to one point for the fifth choice.
Finally, the votes from all 100 journalists are tallied. The player who accumulates the most points is crowned the Ballon d’Or winner, This process makes the list of Ballon d’Or winners a true reflection of footballing excellence and performance in the previous football season.
Men’s Nominees for Ballon d’Or 2023
They changed the voting rules for the Ballon d’Or winners in 2022. They will grant the award based on season performance rather than calendar year results for the second time. The season ran from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, and they revealed the award candidates on September 6, 2023.
They show the complete list of players nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or winners below.
| Player Nominated | Club/Country |
| André Onana | Inter-Manchester United/Cameroon |
| Josko Gvardiol | RB Lipsia-Manchester City/Croatia |
| Karim Benzema | Real-Madrid-I Ittihad |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich/Germany |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool/Egypt |
| Jude Bellingham | Broussia Dortmund-Real Madrid/England |
| Bukayo Saka | Arsenal/England |
| Randal Kolo Muani | Eintracht Frankfurt-Paris Saint-Germain/France |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City/Belgium |
| Bernardo Silva | Manchester City/Portugal |
| Emiliano Martínez | Aston Villa/Argentina |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Napoli/Georgia |
| Rúben Dias | Manchester City/Portugal |
| Nicolo Barella | Inter Milan/Italy |
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City/Norway |
| Yassine Bounou | Sevilla-Al Hilal/Morocco |
| Martin Ødegaard | Arsenal/Norway |
| Julián Álvarez | Manchester City/Argentina |
| Ilkay Gündogan | Barcelona/Germany |
| Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid/Brazil |
| Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain-Inter Miami/Argentina |
| Rodri | Manchester City/Spain |
| Lautaro Martínez | Inter Milan/Argentina |
| Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid/France |
| Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona/Poland |
| Kylian Mbappé | Paris Saint-Germain/France |
| Kim Min-jae | Napoli-Bayern Munich/South Korea |
| Victor Osimhen | Napoli/Nigeria |
| Luka Modric | Real Madrid/Croatia |
| Harry Kane | Tottenham-Bayern Munich/England |
Women’s Nominees for Ballon d’Or 2023
The current Ballon d’Or winner or Ballon d’Or Féminin winner 2023 is Aitana Bonmatí from Spain, Barcelona, making her the latest addition to the prestigious list of Ballon d’Or winners. With 30 nominees for Women Ballon d’Or or Ballon d’Or Féminin 2023 locked in, the world gears up to receive its fifth female best football player. It is essential to mention here that when the Ballon d’Or for men started in 1956, the tradition of Ballon d’Or Féminin began in 2018.
| Wolfsburg/Germany | Club/ Country |
| Aitana Bonmati | Barcelona/Spain |
| Millie Bright | Chelsea/England |
| Linda Caicedo | Real Madrid/Colombia |
| Olga Carmona | Real Madrid/Spain |
| Rachel Daly | Aston Villa/England |
| Debinha | North Carolina-Kansas City/Brazil |
| Kadidiatou Diani | Paris Saint-Germain-Lyon/France |
| Mary Earps | Manchester United/England |
| Patricia Guijarro | Barcelona/Spain |
| Yui Hasegawa | Manchester City/Japan |
| Amanda Ilestedt | Paris-Saint Germain-Arsenal/Sweden |
| Sam Kerr | Chelsea/Australia |
| Mapi Leon | Barcelona/Spain |
| Katie McCabe | Arsenal/Republic of Ireland |
| Hinata Miyazawa | MyNavi Senday-Manchester United/Japan |
| Lena Oberdorf | Wolfsburg/Germany |
| Asisat Oshoala | Barcelona/Nigeria |
| Ewa Pajor | Wolfsburg/Poland |
| Salma Paralluelo | Barcelona/Spain |
| Alexandra Popp | Wolsburg/Germany |
| Hayley Raso | Manchester City-Real Madrid/Australia |
| Alba Redondo | Levante/Spain |
| Guro Reiten | Chelsea/Norway |
| Wendie Renard | Lyon/France |
| Jill Roord | Wolfsburg-Manchester City/Netherlands |
| Fridolina Rolfo | Barcelona/Swede |
| Khadija Shaw | Manchester City/Jamaica |
| Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns/United States |
| Georgia Stanway | Bayern Munich/England |
| Daphne van Domselaar | Twente-Aston Villa/Netherlands |
Who was the First Ballon d’Or winner?
The inaugural Ballon d’Or, awarded in 1956, was claimed by the legendary Stanley Matthews. Renowned for his exceptional close control, impressive dribbling skills, and on-field intelligence, Matthews left an indelible mark on football. His notable contribution includes leading Blackpool to a memorable come-from-behind victory of 4-3 against Bolton Wanderers in the 1953 FA Cup final, forever remembered as the ‘Matthews final.’ Additionally, Matthews secured the runner-up position in the English top-flight with Blackpool during the 1955-56 season, solidifying his status as the first-ever Ballon d’Or recipient. His prowess and impact on the game continue to resonate, making him an integral part of the history of Ballon d’Or winners.
Who won the First Ballon d’Or as a Female Football Player?
The inaugural recipient of the 2018 Ballon d’Or Feminin award is Ada Hegerberg, a striker from Norway, who made history as one of the standout Ballon d’Or winners. At that time, Hegerberg, 23, was Olympique Lyonnais’ top scorer in both the UEFA Women’s Champions League (15 goals) and the 2017–18 Division 1 Féminine (31 goals).
Who has the Most Ballon d’Or Awards?
Lionel Messi holds the record for most Ballon d’Or victories in history with eight victories. This surpasses his rival Cristiano Ronaldo by three victories. From 2009 to 2012, the captain of Argentina won four straight Ballon d’Or awards, becoming the first player to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or.
The Barcelona legend, who is presently with Inter Miami, assisted Argentina in winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which led to him winning a record-tying eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, cementing his legacy among the most iconic Ballon d’Or winners in football history.
Cristiano Ronaldo: A Rivalry in Ballon d Or Glory
Ronaldo possesses incredible talent, stands firm in his work ethic, has a high commitment to the sport, and can perform at the highest level over an extended period consistently. These have steered him further towards achievement. Over ten years ago, in 2008, Ronaldo took home his first Ballon d’Or prize. He hasn’t stopped anywhere since then. Apart from that, they have nominated him for the Ballon d’Or 18 times.
The public widely knows the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They had dominated the award for over a decade, creating a fierce yet friendly competition that has captivated football fans worldwide. As one of the most accomplished Ballon d’Or winners, Ronaldo’s legacy in football is firmly etched in history.
Lionel Messi Beats Erling Haaland For a Record 8th Title
Lionel Messi, widely acknowledged as the frontrunner for the men’s award, has solidified his position as a football legend by securing an unprecedented eighth Ballon d’Or title. The announcement formalizes Messi’s remarkable achievements during the 2022/23 season, particularly while showcasing his exceptional skills with PSG. Notably, this historic win distinguishes Messi as the first player ever to clinch the prestigious Ballon d’Or while actively representing a Major League Soccer (MLS) team.
Meanwhile, the women’s award rightfully recognized the exceptional talent of Spanish player Aitana Bonmati. The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony marks a pivotal moment in Messi’s illustrious career, underlining his continued dominance on the global football stage. This highlights key moments and achievements of Ballon d’Or winners and how they shaped football history.
Ballon d’Or Winners List from 1956 to 2023: Celebrating Football Excellence
Men’s Ballon d’Or Winners List
The first winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or was Stanley Matthews of England. Let’s have a look at the list of Ballon d’Or winners from 1956 till date:
| YEAR | PLAYER | NATIONALITY | CLUB |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2022 | Karim Benzema | France | Real Madrid |
| 2021 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2020 | Alfredo Di Stefano | ||
| 2019 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2018 | Luka Modric | Croatia | Real Madrid |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2010 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Manchester United |
| 2007 | Kaka | Brazil | AC Milan |
| 2006 | Fabio Cannavaro | Italy | Real Madrid |
| 2005 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Barcelona |
| 2004 | Andriy Shevchenko | Zinedine Zidane | AC Milan |
| 2003 | Pavel Nedved | Czech Republic | Juventus |
| 2002 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Real Madrid |
| 2001 | Michael Owen | England | Liverpool |
| 2000 | Luis Figo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 1999 | Rivaldo | Brazil | Barcelona |
| 1998 | Alfredo Di Stefano | France | Juventus |
| 1997 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Inter Milan |
| 1996 | Matthias Sammer | Germany | Borussia Dortmund |
| 1995 | George Weah | Liberia | AC Milan |
| 1994 | Hristo Stoichkov | Bulgaria | Barcelona |
| 1993 | Roberto Baggio | Italy | Juventus |
| 1992 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands | AC Milan |
| 1991 | Jean-Pierre Papin | France | Marseille |
| 1990 | Lothar Matthaus | Germany | Inter Milan |
| 1989 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands | Milan |
| 1988 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands | Milan |
| 1987 | Ruud Guilt | Netherlands | Milan |
| 1986 | Igor Belanov | Soviet Union | Dynamo Kiev |
| 1985 | Michel Platini | France | Juventus |
| 1984 | Michel Platini | France | Juventus |
| 1983 | Michel Platini | France | Juventus |
| 1982 | Paolo Rossi | Italy | Juventus |
| 1981 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1980 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1979 | Kevin Keegan | England | Hamburg |
| 1978 | Kevin Keegan | England | Hamburg |
| 1977 | Allan Simonsen | Denmark | Borussia Monchengladbach |
| 1976 | Franz Beckenbauer | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1975 | Oleg Blokhin | Soviet Union | Dynamo Kiev |
| 1974 | Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | Barcelona |
| 1973 | Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | Barcelona |
| 1972 | Franz Beckenbauer | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1971 | Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | Ajax |
| 1970 | Gerd Muller | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1969 | Gianni Rivera | Italy | AC Milan |
| 1968 | George Best | Northern Ireland | Manchester United |
| 1967 | Florian Albert | Hungary | Ferencvaros |
| 1966 | Bobby Charlton | England | Manchester United |
| 1965 | Eusebio | Portugal | Benfica |
| 1964 | Denis Law | Scotland | Manchester United |
| 1963 | Lev Yashin | Soviet Union | Dynamo Moscow |
| 1962 | Josef Masopust | Czechoslovakia | Dukla Prague |
| 1961 | Omar Sivori | Italy | Juventus |
| 1960 | Luis Suarez | Spain | Barcelona |
| 1959 | Alfredo Di Stefano | Spain | Real Madrid |
| 1958 | Raymond Kopa | France | Real Madrid |
| 1957 | Alferdo Di Stefano | Spain | Real Madrid |
| 1956 | Stanley Matthews | England | Blackpool |
Women’s Ballon d’Or Winners List
The tradition for Ballon d’Or Féminine began recently, and let’s take a closer look at the outstanding Ballon d’Or winners of the award since 2018:
| YEAR | PLAYER | NATIONALITY | CLUB |
| 2023 | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2022 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2021 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2020 | Not Awarded | ||
| 2019 | Megan Rapinoe | USA | Reign FC |
| 2018 | Ada Hegerberg | Norway | Olympique Lyonnais |
The Art of Ballon d’Or Winners Ranking
The Ballon d’Or winners’ selection criteria have undergone a series of major changes. Now, a panel of international journalists, managers, national team coaches, and captains who vote for the winner considers three things.
The ranking criteria of Ballon d’Or include:
1. Individual Performance
Based on their individual goals scored, assists, defensive contributions, and overall consistency in their playing performance.
2. Team Success
They take into account achievements from the club of which the player is a part and the national team. Therefore, it becomes crucial to be consistent to maintain a level of high standard performance all year long.
3. Fair Play
A player’s conduct and sportsmanship, including avoiding suspensions and other disciplinary actions, may influence the voting. Even so, the Ballon d’Or rating has always been the subject of discussions and disputes.
Neymar’s Quest for Ballon d’Or Glory
Many consider Neymar as one of the most talented football players of his generation. His accomplishments and team-building efforts helped him climb the ladder of success. He had led the Barcelona team to many victories in the domestic cups, like La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League. One wonders now how many Ballon d’Or Neymar owns. Although a string of injuries during his career has limited his prospects of being recognized with major honors, Neymar has never won the Ballon d’Or, a title that remains elusive, even as he continues to be a key figure in global football. While he has never joined the ranks of Ballon d’Or winners, his talent continues to captivate the football world.
The Essence of the Ballon d’Or: What Does it Signify?
In football, the Ballon d’Or sets the standard for achievement and recognition. More than just an award, people consider it significant. It represents the commitment, skill, and influence of athletes who have made a lasting image in this field. Also, It represents several important characteristics and ideals, including individual genius, international renown, historical significance, and motivation for the next players. It brings the world of football together, recognizing artistic ability, and much more. For those who earn it, joining the ranks of Ballon d’Or winners is a testament to their extraordinary contributions to the game.
The Price of Prestige: What a Ballon d’Or Meaning
To be named a Ballon d’Or holds much more significance than simply receiving a prize. It also contains the aspirations, final successes, and desires of football players who have made a lasting impression on the sport. What is the cost of the Ballon d’Or, though?
No cash prize is awarded to the winner. This honor recognizes both male and female top football players worldwide.
Additionally, a player winning the Ballon d’Or does induce a substantial financial impact on them. This includes things like enhanced market value, endorsement deals, pay raises, and merchandise opportunities. Winning the Ballon d’Or greatly impacts a football player’s financial possibilities and chances by influencing their status and recognition. For Ballon d’Or winners, the award brings far-reaching rewards beyond just football.
Trailblazers of the Ballon d’Or: Most Wins in History
If you are wondering how many Ballon d’Ors does Messi have? And how many Ballon d’Or does Ronaldo have? Being the greatest football giants of their time, these two are the most Ballon d’Or winners ever. Messi holds the maximum number of men’s Ballon d’Or awards with a record of winning it eight times. Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award five times. After Messi and Ronaldo took the positions of most Ballon d’Or winners, other legendary footballers who have won the Ballon d’Or award more than twice include Marco van, Johan Cruyff, and Michel Platini.
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The Next Generation: Rising Stars in Ballon d’Or Contention
For a long time now, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the football sphere. After these two legendary swimmers, there are some other names for the next Ballon d’Or winner. Here are some of the guesses about who can carry this legacy forward:
- Josko Gvardiol, having a standout for both Croatia and RB Leipzig
- Andre Onana, for being one of the best keepers in Europe last year
- Jamal Musiala has bagged 12 goals and added 12 assists.
At the same time, other footballers who are at the peak of their game include Kylian Mbappé, Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane, and Erling Haaland. Their incredible talents have brought them to this position in their career in recent years. If experts have to believe, they possess the potential to join the ranks of the greatest Ballon d’Or winners. But winning depends on many factors, such as team performance, individual performance, and voting patterns.
Conclusion
Ballon d’Or has a rich history and enduring legacy. This represents excellence and recognition in the field of football. It transcends the confines of time and provides a connecting link between the games’ present, past, and future. This reflects the passion, dedication, and artistry that define football. It inspires generations of football enthusiasts, who showcase the magnificent sport and the remarkable individuals who leave a lasting mark on it. The wait has finally come to an as Lionel Messi won the Men’s Ballon d’Or Award 2023, for the record eighth time at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
FAQs on Ballon d’Or winners
List down the conditions for getting nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
The primary condition for Ballon d’Or winners depends upon the player’s performance in the previous year, and other factors that contribute are team success during football season, player behavior, and fair play.
Is there a rare Ballon d’Or award?
The French magazine France Football awarded the Super Ballon d’Or only once, on 24 December 1989, to Spanish-Argentine forward Alfredo Di Stéfano for being the best football player of the previous three decades.
Is Ballon d’Or made of pure gold?
They do not make the Ballon d’Or completely of gold; it mainly contains brass. They use brass to build the round-shaped art, and then they fill it with tar, involving different steps such as hammering, welding, and using a blowtorch and chisel.
Who is the Football Player of the Century?
After consulting the former Ballon d’Or recipients, France Football voted Pelé the Football Player of the Century by winning 122 points.
Who is the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or?
In 1997, the Ballon d’Or was awarded to Brazilian superstar Ronaldo on December 23. At just 21 years old, Ronaldo became the youngest player to ever receive this prestigious honor, as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries.
Who can win the 2024 Ballon d’Or?
Joao Felix has highlighted Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe as the top contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
What player has a Super Ballon d Or?
As of November 1989, this award has only been given once, to Spanish-Argentine forward Alfredo Di Stéfano. The award was voted between multiple-time Ballon d’Or winners. The winner of the award was voted by viewers and readers, a panel of France Football judges, and former Ballon d’Or winners.
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