The Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football, is considered the highest individual honor in football. It is awarded every year to the best male footballer based on their performance over the previous season.
Since its creation in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has celebrated the greatness of football’s biggest icons. As of 2025, only a few players have been able to win the award more than once. In this article, we take a look at the top five players who have won the Ballon d’Or the most number of times.
5. Marco van Basten – 3 Ballon d’Ors
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Years Won: 1988, 1989, 1992
- Club: AC Milan
Marco van Basten was one of the most elegant and clinical strikers of his generation. He was known for his technique, headers, and stunning goals, including his iconic volley in the Euro 1988 final. Sadly, his career was cut short due to injuries, but his achievements in a short span were enough to win him three Ballon d’Ors.
4. Johan Cruyff – 3 Ballon d’Ors
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Years Won: 1971, 1973, 1974
- Clubs: Ajax, Barcelona
Johan Cruyff is remembered as one of the most brilliant minds in football and a true pioneer of the game. He led Ajax and Barcelona to great success and introduced a new way of playing with “Total Football.” Even though he never won a World Cup, his influence on the game is massive. Cruyff’s legacy lives on through both his playing and coaching careers.
3. Michel Platini – 3 Ballon d’Ors
- Nationality: France
- Years Won: 1983, 1984, 1985
- Club: Juventus
Michel Platini was among the finest midfielders of the 1980s. He won the Ballon d’Or three consecutive times, a rare achievement in football history. His performance in Euro 1984, where he scored 9 goals in just 5 matches, remains legendary. During his prime, he played a key role for both the French national team and Juventus.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 Ballon d’Ors
- Nationality: Portugal
- Years Won: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
- Clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, athleticism, and consistency. He dominated European football with Real Madrid and continued to perform in England and Italy.
He led Portugal to their first-ever major international title by winning the UEFA Euro in 2016. Ronaldo is also the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football.
1. Lionel Messi – 8 Ballon d’Ors
- Nationality: Argentina
- Years Won: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
- Clubs: FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi holds the all-time record for the most Ballon d’Or titles. Famous for his exceptional dribbling, sharp vision, and goal-scoring ability, Messi dominated world football for almost two decades.
His 2023 Ballon d’Or came after leading Argentina to a historic World Cup win in Qatar in 2022. Even in the later stages of his career, Messi continued to perform at the highest level, making him the undisputed king of this award.
Conclusion
The Ballon d’Or is not just a trophy, it is a symbol of greatness. Winning it even once is a dream for many footballers, but these five players have done it multiple times.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated modern football with unmatched brilliance, while Platini, Cruyff, and Van Basten lit up earlier generations with their class and creativity.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
The post Ballon d’Or Winners: Top 5 Players with the Most Titles in Football History appeared first on Trade Brains.