The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious award in the world of football and it is presented annually to the best male and female. The award is given based on their performances in the previous season and it was first awarded in 1956 by France Football.
Often referred to as the “Golden Ball”, the Ballon d’Or is not just about scoring goals but it also is determined on the basis of a player’s contribution in the team, consistency, sportsmanship, impact in big matches and leadership. Since 2024, the award is co-organised by UEDA and Groupe Amaury.
The voting process is conducted by the journalists worldwide and then the winner is divided.
Also Read: Ballon d’Or 2025: Date, time, venue, where to watch in India – All you need to know
Lionel Messi: The king of Ballon d’Or
The star player from Argentina – Lionel Messi hold the record of most number of titles. He has won the award 8 number of times in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Top 5 players with most Ballon d’Or award
| Rank | Player | Ballon d’Or Wins | Years Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | 8 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 5 | 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| 3 | Michel Platini | 3 | 1983, 1984, 1985 |
| 4 | Johan Cruyff | 3 | 1971, 1973, 1974 |
| 5 | Marco van Basten | 3 | 1988, 1989, 1992 |
Also Read: How many penalties has Lionel Messi missed? See how he stacks up against Cristiano Ronaldo
Ballon d’Or 2025: All you need to know
This year’s star-studded ceremony will be held at the historic Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on September 23, with the globe looking forward to witnessing the top footballer in the world. Several football stars have their eyes on the prize for this year’s award, including Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, and Mohamed Salah who are among the top favourites.
