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How many players have won the Ballon d’Or in football history?

The Ballon d’Or remains one of football’s most prestigious individual accolades, symbolising excellence, consistency, and influence

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Complete List of Ballon d’Or Winners – Men and Women

The Ballon d’Or remains one of football’s most prestigious individual accolades, symbolising excellence, consistency, and influence on the global stage. First introduced in 1956 by France Football magazine, the award was created to honour the best footballer in Europe based on individual brilliance and impact on the game.

Over the years, the scope of the award has expanded. Initially restricted to European players, eligibility was widened in 1995 to include players from all over the world, provided they played for European clubs. By 2007, the rules changed again, making the Ballon d’Or a truly global honour, open to every footballer regardless of their league or nationality.

The award briefly merged with FIFA’s World Player of the Year between 2010 and 2015, becoming the FIFA Ballon d’Or during that period. After the partnership ended, France Football resumed sole responsibility for the trophy. Notably, the Ballon d’Or was not presented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first cancellation in its history.

In a more recent shift, starting from 2024, UEFA began co-hosting the ceremony alongside France Football, with the latter still in charge of the voting process. This partnership has further elevated the ceremony, blending football’s governing power in Europe with the award’s historic prestige.

Women’s Ballon d’Or Winners (Ballon d’Or Féminin)

The women’s edition of the award was introduced in 2018, giving female footballers a long-overdue platform for recognition. Here are the winners so far:

Alexia Putellas – 2 wins (2021, 2022 – FC Barcelona Femení, Spain)
Aitana Bonmatí – 2 wins (2023, 2024 – FC Barcelona Femení, Spain)
Ada Hegerberg – 1 win (2018 – Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, Norway)
Megan Rapinoe – 1 win (2019 – Reign FC, USA)

Together, these players have not only raised the profile of women’s football globally but have also set benchmarks for skill, leadership, and influence on and off the pitch.

Men’s Ballon d’Or Winners

The men’s award has been running since 1956 and has been claimed by 41 different players to date. Several of these players have gone on to win multiple titles, with at least three securing the Ballon d’Or three times or more, cementing their place among the all-time greats of the sport.

From the early dominance of European stars like Stanley Matthews, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Johan Cruyff, to the modern-day legends such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the list of winners reflects the evolution of football through different generations and eras.

👉 [Here, the full list of male winners can be inserted chronologically – from Stanley Matthews in 1956 up to the most recent winner.]