Ballon D'Or Winners: The Complete List

Sep 23, 2025 by ADMIN 39 views

The Ballon d'Or, guys, is like the ultimate individual award in football, right? It's that shiny golden ball that every player dreams of holding one day. Awarded annually, it recognizes the best male and female football players in the world. Decided by a jury of international journalists, it considers a player's performances, both individually and with their teams, their talent and fair play, and their overall impact on the sport. This article gives you a comprehensive rundown of all the Ballon d'Or winners. So, let's dive into the history and celebrate these legends of the beautiful game!

A Brief History of the Ballon d'Or

Originally conceived by Gabriel Hanot, a French football journalist, the Ballon d'Or was first awarded in 1956. Initially, it was only for European players, with Stanley Matthews of England taking home the inaugural award. Over the years, the criteria expanded to include any player playing for a European club, and then, eventually, to any player in the world. This evolution reflects football's increasing globalization and ensures the award truly recognizes the best player globally. The voting process has also evolved, with journalists from more countries participating to give a broader perspective. For decades, it was the award until FIFA created their own version, leading to a brief merger before the Ballon d'Or returned to its independent glory. This rich history adds to the prestige and allure of the Ballon d'Or, making it a truly coveted prize. The separation from FIFA was a major change in the history of the awards and shows that it is still the most prestigious and respected individual award a player can win in the sport.

List of Ballon d'Or Winners (Men's)

Alright, let's get to the good stuff – the list of Ballon d'Or winners! Prepare to be amazed by the sheer talent and legendary status of these football icons.

1956: Stanley Matthews (England) – The first ever winner! Sir Stanley was a winger known for his incredible dribbling skills and longevity.
1957: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Spain) – A Real Madrid legend, Di Stéfano was a complete forward who dominated European football.
1958: Raymond Kopa (France) – Another Real Madrid star, Kopa was an elegant playmaker with exceptional vision.
1959: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Spain) – Di Stéfano wins again, cementing his place among the greats.
1960: Luis Suárez (Spain) – Not to be confused with the Uruguayan, this Suárez was a Barcelona midfielder known for his passing and technique.
1961: Omar Sívori (Italy) – An Argentinian-Italian forward who starred for Juventus.
1962: Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia) – A midfielder who led Czechoslovakia to the World Cup final.
1963: Lev Yashin (Soviet Union) – The only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d'Or! A true legend.
1964: Denis Law (Scotland) – A prolific striker for Manchester United.
1965: Eusébio (Portugal) – The "Black Panther," Eusébio was a powerful and skillful forward.
1966: Bobby Charlton (England) – A Manchester United and England icon, Sir Bobby was an attacking midfielder with a thunderous shot.
1967: Flórián Albert (Hungary) – A forward who was the star of Ferencváros and the Hungarian national team.
1968: George Best (Northern Ireland) – Another Manchester United legend, Best was a dazzling winger with unmatched flair.
1969: Gianni Rivera (Italy) – A Milan legend known for his creativity and playmaking ability.
1970: Gerd Müller (West Germany) – "Der Bomber," Müller was a ruthless goalscorer for Bayern Munich and West Germany.
1971: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) – The architect of "Total Football," Cruyff revolutionized the game.
1972: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany) – "Der Kaiser," Beckenbauer was a legendary defender and captain.
1973: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) – Cruyff wins again, solidifying his status as a football genius.
1974: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) – A third Ballon d'Or for Cruyff! Unbelievable.
1975: Oleg Blokhin (Soviet Union) – A dynamic forward who starred for Dynamo Kyiv and the Soviet Union.
1976: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany) – Beckenbauer's second Ballon d'Or, cementing his legacy.
1977: Allan Simonsen (Denmark) – A talented forward who played for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Barcelona.
1978: Kevin Keegan (England) – A charismatic forward who starred for Liverpool and Hamburg.
1979: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany) – A prolific striker for Bayern Munich.
1980: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany) – Rummenigge wins again, showcasing his scoring prowess.
1981: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany) – Three in a row for Rummenigge! What a player.
1982: Paolo Rossi (Italy) – The hero of the 1982 World Cup, Rossi was a clinical finisher.
1983: Michel Platini (France) – A midfield maestro who starred for Juventus.
1984: Michel Platini (France) – Platini wins again, continuing his dominance.
1985: Michel Platini (France) – A third consecutive Ballon d'Or for Platini! Incredible.
1986: Igor Belanov (Soviet Union) – A forward who impressed at the 1986 World Cup.
1987: Ruud Gullit (Netherlands) – A versatile player who was a key part of the AC Milan team.
1988: Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – A graceful striker with incredible technique.
1989: Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – Van Basten wins again, confirming his brilliance.
1990: Lothar Matthäus (West Germany) – A commanding midfielder who led West Germany to World Cup glory.
1991: Jean-Pierre Papin (France) – A prolific striker who played for Marseille.
1992: Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – A third Ballon d'Or for van Basten! Amazing.
1993: Roberto Baggio (Italy) – A technically gifted forward who was a fan favorite.
1994: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) – A fiery forward who starred for Barcelona.
1995: George Weah (Liberia) – The first African player to win the Ballon d'Or! A true pioneer.
1996: Matthias Sammer (Germany) – A sweeper who led Germany to Euro 96 glory.
1997: Ronaldo (Brazil) – "O Fenômeno," Ronaldo was a sensational striker.
1998: Zinedine Zidane (France) – A midfield genius who led France to World Cup victory.
1999: Rivaldo (Brazil) – A technically gifted forward who starred for Barcelona.
2000: Luís Figo (Portugal) – A winger who was known for his dribbling and crossing ability.
2001: Michael Owen (England) – A pacy striker who starred for Liverpool.
2002: Ronaldo (Brazil) – Ronaldo wins again after a brilliant World Cup.
2003: Pavel Nedvěd (Czech Republic) – A midfielder known for his stamina and powerful shots.
2004: Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine) – A prolific striker who starred for AC Milan.
2005: Ronaldinho (Brazil) – A magician on the ball, Ronaldinho brought joy to football fans worldwide.
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy) – The captain of Italy's World Cup-winning team, Cannavaro was a rock in defense.
2007: Kaká (Brazil) – An elegant attacking midfielder who starred for AC Milan.
2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – The beginning of an era! Ronaldo's first Ballon d'Or.
2009: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – The start of Messi's reign! His first of many.
2010: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi wins again, showcasing his incredible talent.
2011: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – A third consecutive Ballon d'Or for Messi! Unbelievable.
2012: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Four in a row for Messi! A record-breaking achievement.
2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Ronaldo breaks Messi's streak and wins his second Ballon d'Or.
2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Ronaldo wins again, closing the gap on Messi.
2015: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi reclaims the crown, winning his fifth Ballon d'Or.
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Ronaldo wins his fourth Ballon d'Or after a Champions League and Euro victory.
2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Ronaldo equals Messi's record with his fifth Ballon d'Or.
2018: Luka Modrić (Croatia) – Modrić breaks the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly after leading Croatia to the World Cup final.
2019: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi wins his record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or.
2020: Not Awarded (COVID-19 Pandemic) – The Ballon d'Or was cancelled due to the pandemic.
2021: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi wins his seventh Ballon d'Or, extending his record.
2022: Karim Benzema (France) – Benzema wins his first Ballon d'Or after a phenomenal season with Real Madrid.
2023: Lionel Messi (Argentina) - Messi secures his eighth Ballon d'Or, further solidifying his legendary status.

List of Ballon d'Or Winners (Women's)

The Ballon d'Or Féminin is the women's equivalent of the prestigious award. It was first awarded in 2018, recognizing the growing importance and talent in women's football. Let's take a look at the winners: — Lions Vs. Ravens: Game Highlights & Key Takeaways

2018: Ada Hegerberg (Norway) – The first-ever winner of the Ballon d'Or Féminin! Hegerberg is a prolific striker for Lyon.
2019: Megan Rapinoe (United States) – Rapinoe led the USWNT to World Cup victory and is a vocal advocate for equality.
2020: Not Awarded (COVID-19 Pandemic) – The Ballon d'Or Féminin was also cancelled due to the pandemic.
2021: Alexia Putellas (Spain) – Putellas is a Barcelona midfielder known for her incredible skill and vision.
2022: Alexia Putellas (Spain) - Putellas wins again, showcasing her consistent excellence.
2023: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain) - Bonmatí secures her first Ballon d'Or, cementing her place as one of the best in the world.

Fun Facts and Trivia

Did you know that:

Lionel Messi has won the most Ballon d'Or awards (8)?
Cristiano Ronaldo is second with 5 awards?
Only one goalkeeper has ever won the award: Lev Yashin?
Three players have won the award three times in a row: Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge?

The Ballon d'Or is full of interesting stories and stats, making it a fascinating part of football history. — Eagles Game Today: TV Channel & How To Watch

Conclusion

The Ballon d'Or is more than just an award; it's a celebration of the beautiful game and the exceptional individuals who grace it. From Matthews to Messi, the winners represent the pinnacle of footballing achievement. Their names are etched in history, inspiring future generations to chase their dreams. So, there you have it – a complete list of Ballon d'Or winners! Who will be next to join this illustrious group? — Francesca Torres Case: The Full Verdict & Details Revealed