Legends of the Game: A Complete List of Ballon d’Or Winners

The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in soccer. Since 1956, it has honored the best player in the world each year. Legends like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Johan Cruyff have all lifted this golden trophy. Let’s take a journey through history and explore every Ballon d’Or winner, highlighting the key moments that shaped this iconic award.

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The Birth of the Ballon d’Or (1956-1969)

The Ballon d’Or was created by France Football magazine in 1956. Initially, it was only open to European players playing in European leagues. Stanley Matthews, a legendary English winger, became the first-ever winner. His outstanding dribbling and sportsmanship made him a worthy recipient. As the years passed, more legends emerged. The late 1950s and 1960s saw players like Alfredo Di Stéfano, Raymond Kopa, and Eusébio dominate. These players not only won domestic league titles but also shone on the international stage. George Best, with his flair and skill, won in 1968, becoming the first Northern Irish player to receive the award.

Notable winners from this era:

1956 – Stanley Matthews (England)
1957 – Alfredo Di Stéfano (Spain)
1965 – Eusébio (Portugal)
1968 – George Best (Northern Ireland)

The Age of Total Football (1970-1980)

The 1970s saw a new style of play take over. The Dutch introduced “Total Football,” a tactical revolution led by Johan Cruyff. He won the Ballon d’Or three times (1971, 1973, and 1974), dominating both club and international football. Meanwhile, Franz Beckenbauer, the German libero, won twice, proving that defenders could also receive global recognition. Kevin Keegan, the English forward, also made his mark by winning back-to-back awards in 1978 and 1979.

Key winners of the 70s:

1971 – Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1972 – Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
1977 – Allan Simonsen (Denmark)
1979 – Kevin Keegan (England)

The Globalization of the Ballon d’Or (1981-1994)

By the 1980s, the Ballon d’Or was gaining worldwide recognition. The dominance of Dutch and German players continued, with Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Lothar Matthäus making history. Michel Platini, the elegant French playmaker, won three consecutive Ballon d’Ors from 1983 to 1985, a record at the time. In 1995, a major change occurred. The award was now open to players from outside Europe. George Weah, a Liberian forward, became the first non-European winner. His incredible performances with AC Milan made him a deserving recipient.

Famous winners from this period:

1983 – Michel Platini (France)
1987 – Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)
1992 – Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1995 – George Weah (Liberia)

The Rise of Ronaldo and Zidane (1995-2005)

The late 90s and early 2000s saw the emergence of two global superstars: Ronaldo Nazário and Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldo became the first South American to win in 1997. His speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability made him one of the most feared strikers in history. Zidane followed with a win in 1998 after leading France to World Cup glory. Rivaldo, Luis Figo, and Ronaldinho continued Brazil’s dominance in the early 2000s, mesmerizing fans with their creativity and flair.

Key winners:

1997 – Ronaldo (Brazil)
1998 – Zinedine Zidane (France)
1999 – Rivaldo (Brazil)
2004 – Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)

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The Messi-Ronaldo Era (2008-2019)

From 2008 onwards, two names took over world football: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. These two players dominated the Ballon d’Or for over a decade, winning 11 out of 12 awards between 2008 and 2019. Messi’s dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability made him a complete player. Ronaldo’s athleticism, finishing, and leadership made him an unstoppable force. Luka Modrić briefly broke their dominance in 2018 after leading Croatia to the World Cup final.

Ballon d’Or winners during this era:

2008 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2009 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2013 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2018 – Luka Modrić (Croatia)

The New Generation (2020-Present)

The Ballon d’Or continued to evolve in the 2020s. Robert Lewandowski was the clear favorite in 2020, but the award was canceled due to COVID-19. Messi won again in 2021 after leading Argentina to a Copa América title. In 2022, Karim Benzema secured his first Ballon d’Or after guiding Real Madrid to Champions League success. Then in 2023, Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or, thanks to his historic World Cup triumph with Argentina. However, new stars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are emerging, ready to take over the throne.

Recent winners:

2021 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2022 – Karim Benzema (France)
2023 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Most Ballon d’Or Wins in History

Some players have dominated the Ballon d’Or more than others. Here are the top winners:

Lionel Messi – 8 Ballon d’Ors (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 Ballon d’Ors (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
Michel Platini – 3 Ballon d’Ors (1983, 1984, 1985)
Johan Cruyff – 3 Ballon d’Ors (1971, 1973, 1974)
Marco van Basten – 3 Ballon d’Ors (1988, 1989, 1992)

The Future of the Ballon d’Or

The next generation of superstars is already here. Players like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Vinícius Júnior are ready to take center stage. With new talents emerging every season, the battle for the Ballon d’Or will remain intense. Fans eagerly await the next era of dominance.

Conclusion

The Ballon d’Or has honored soccer’s greatest legends for decades. From Stanley Matthews to Lionel Messi, each winner has left a unique mark on the game. As football continues to evolve, new names will rise to claim this prestigious trophy. Who will be the next player to lift the golden ball? Only time will tell.

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