Ballon D'Or Winners: The Complete List

Oct 22, 2025 by HITNEWS 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 up high. Awarded annually, it recognizes the best male and female football players in the world. This prestigious award has a rich history, filled with legendary names and unforgettable moments. Today, we're diving deep into the complete list of Ballon d'Or winners, exploring their achievements and celebrating their contributions to the beautiful game.

A Brief History of the Ballon d'Or

So, where did this whole Ballon d'Or thing come from? Well, it all started back in 1956, when Gabriel Hanot, a French football journalist, had the brilliant idea to honor the best European player of the year. Initially, only European players were eligible, but in 1995, the rules changed to include any player playing for a European club. Then, in 2007, the award went truly global, opening up to all players from around the world. In 2010, FIFA and France Football merged their individual awards to create the FIFA Ballon d'Or, but this partnership ended in 2016, and the Ballon d'Or returned to being solely awarded by France Football.

Over the decades, the criteria for selecting the winner have evolved, but the core principles remain the same: recognizing exceptional talent, skill, sportsmanship, and overall contribution to the sport. The voting process involves journalists from around the world, who cast their votes based on a shortlist of nominees. The player with the most votes takes home the coveted golden ball. Winning the Ballon d'Or isn't just about individual brilliance; it's also a testament to a player's impact on their team and their influence on the game as a whole. It's about those moments of magic, those game-changing performances, and that unwavering dedication to the sport that captivates fans worldwide.

Men's Ballon d'Or Winners: The Complete List

Alright, let's get down to the main event – the complete list of men's Ballon d'Or winners! This is where we get to relive some of the greatest moments in football history and celebrate the legends who have graced the pitch. From the early pioneers to the modern-day superstars, each winner has left an indelible mark on the sport. Prepare to be amazed as we journey through the years, highlighting the achievements and accolades of these exceptional players.

Early Years (1956-1960)

1956: Stanley Matthews (England) – The first-ever Ballon d'Or winner, Matthews was a true legend of the game, known for his incredible dribbling skills and longevity. He played professionally until he was 50 years old!
1957: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Spain) – Di Stéfano, a key player for Real Madrid, was a goal-scoring machine and a true leader on the field. His contributions helped Real Madrid dominate European football in the late 1950s.
1958: Raymond Kopa (France) – Another Real Madrid star, Kopa was an elegant and skillful midfielder who played a pivotal role in the team's success.
1959: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Spain) – Di Stéfano wins his second Ballon d'Or, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time.
1960: Luis Suárez (Spain) – Not to be confused with the Uruguayan striker, this Luis Suárez was a brilliant midfielder who starred for Barcelona and Inter Milan.

The Eusébio Era (1961-1970)

1961: Omar Sívori (Italy) - A gifted Argentinian-Italian forward known for his exceptional dribbling and goal-scoring ability while playing for Juventus.
1962: Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia) – Masopust was a legendary midfielder who led Czechoslovakia to the World Cup final in 1962.
1963: Lev Yashin (Soviet Union) – The only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d'Or, Yashin, also known as the "Black Spider," was a revolutionary figure in the position.
1964: Denis Law (Scotland) – Law, a prolific striker for Manchester United, was known for his incredible goal-scoring record.
1965: Eusébio (Portugal) – Eusébio, the "Black Panther," was a phenomenal striker with incredible speed, skill, and power. He led Benfica to European glory and became a global icon.
1966: Bobby Charlton (England) – A key member of England's World Cup-winning team, Charlton was a dynamic midfielder with a powerful shot.
1967: Flórián Albert (Hungary) - A talented forward who spent his entire career with Ferencváros and was renowned for his technical skills and goal-scoring ability.
1968: George Best (Northern Ireland) – Best, a flamboyant and charismatic winger for Manchester United, was known for his incredible dribbling and flair.
1969: Gianni Rivera (Italy) - An elegant and creative midfielder who captained AC Milan to numerous titles and was a key player for the Italian national team.
1970: Gerd Müller (West Germany) – Müller, "Der Bomber," was a clinical striker with an uncanny ability to find the back of the net. He was a key player for Bayern Munich and West Germany.

The Cruyff and Beckenbauer Years (1971-1980)

1971: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) – Cruyff, a revolutionary figure in football, was the embodiment of "Total Football." His vision, skill, and tactical awareness transformed the game.
1972: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany) – "Der Kaiser," Beckenbauer, was a legendary defender and captain who redefined the sweeper position. He led Bayern Munich and West Germany to numerous titles.
1973: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) – Cruyff wins his second Ballon d'Or, continuing to inspire and influence the game with his innovative style of play.
1974: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) - Cruyff secures his third Ballon d'Or, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
1975: Oleg Blokhin (Soviet Union) - A dynamic and prolific striker who played for Dynamo Kyiv and the Soviet Union national team, known for his speed and goal-scoring ability.
1976: Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany) – Beckenbauer wins his second Ballon d'Or, solidifying his place among the game's elite.
1977: Allan Simonsen (Denmark) - A talented forward who played for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Barcelona, known for his dribbling skills and goal-scoring ability.
1978: Kevin Keegan (England) – Keegan, a dynamic and hardworking forward, starred for Liverpool and Hamburg.
1979: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany) - A prolific striker who played for Bayern Munich and the West Germany national team, known for his speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability.
1980: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany) - Rummenigge wins his second Ballon d'Or, continuing to dominate European football with his goal-scoring prowess.

The Platini Era (1981-1990)

1981: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany) - Rummenigge secures his third Ballon d'Or, joining a select group of players to achieve this feat.
1982: Paolo Rossi (Italy) – Rossi, the hero of Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph, was a clinical finisher with a knack for scoring crucial goals.
1983: Michel Platini (France) – Platini, an elegant and prolific midfielder, led Juventus to numerous titles and was a key player for the French national team.
1984: Michel Platini (France) – Platini wins his second Ballon d'Or, continuing to dominate European football with his skill and vision.
1985: Michel Platini (France) – Platini secures his third consecutive Ballon d'Or, a remarkable achievement that cemented his status as a football legend.
1986: Igor Belanov (Soviet Union) - A talented forward who played for Dynamo Kyiv and the Soviet Union national team, known for his speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability.
1987: Ruud Gullit (Netherlands) – Gullit, a versatile and dynamic player, was a key member of the AC Milan team that dominated European football in the late 1980s.
1988: Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – Van Basten, a graceful and lethal striker, was known for his incredible technique and goal-scoring ability.
1989: Marco van Basten (Netherlands) - Van Basten wins his second Ballon d'Or, continuing to mesmerize fans with his skill and finishing.
1990: Lothar Matthäus (West Germany) – Matthäus, a dominant midfielder and captain, led West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup.

The Transition Years (1991-2007)

1991: Jean-Pierre Papin (France) - A prolific striker who played for Marseille and AC Milan, known for his acrobatic goals and clinical finishing.
1992: Marco van Basten (Netherlands) - Van Basten secures his third Ballon d'Or, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest strikers of all time.
1993: Roberto Baggio (Italy) – Baggio, a creative and skillful forward, was a fan favorite known for his flair and goal-scoring ability.
1994: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) - A dynamic and explosive forward who led Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup, known for his powerful shots and fiery temperament.
1995: George Weah (Liberia) – Weah, a powerful and skillful striker, was the first African player to win the Ballon d'Or. He starred for AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
1996: Matthias Sammer (Germany) - A versatile defender who captained Germany to victory in the 1996 European Championship, known for his leadership and tactical awareness.
1997: Ronaldo (Brazil) – Ronaldo, "O Fenômeno," was a phenomenon. His incredible speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability captivated the world. He starred for Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
1998: Zinedine Zidane (France) – Zidane, an elegant and masterful midfielder, led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup. His skill, vision, and composure made him a true icon.
1999: Rivaldo (Brazil) - A gifted attacking midfielder known for his incredible dribbling and goal-scoring ability while playing for Barcelona.
2000: Luís Figo (Portugal) – Figo, a skillful and dynamic winger, starred for Barcelona and Real Madrid. His controversial transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid made headlines around the world.
2001: Michael Owen (England) – Owen, a prolific striker for Liverpool and England, was known for his speed and clinical finishing.
2002: Ronaldo (Brazil) – Ronaldo wins his second Ballon d'Or, capping off a remarkable comeback from injury and leading Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup.
2003: Pavel Nedvěd (Czech Republic) – Nedvěd, a dynamic and hardworking midfielder, was a key player for Juventus.
2004: Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine) – Shevchenko, a prolific striker for AC Milan, was known for his speed, skill, and clinical finishing.
2005: Ronaldinho (Brazil) – Ronaldinho, a magician with the ball at his feet, brought joy and flair to the game. His dazzling dribbling, creative passes, and infectious smile made him a global icon. He starred for Barcelona.
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy) – Cannavaro, a rock-solid defender and captain, led Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup.
2007: Kaká (Brazil) – Kaká, an elegant and dynamic midfielder, was the last player before the Messi-Ronaldo era to win the Ballon d'Or. He starred for AC Milan.

The Messi-Ronaldo Era (2008-2017)

2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – The beginning of an era. Cristiano Ronaldo, a phenomenon of athleticism, skill, and determination, wins his first Ballon d'Or after a stellar season with Manchester United.
2009: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Lionel Messi, a genius with the ball, wins his first Ballon d'Or after a historic season with Barcelona.
2010: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi wins his second consecutive Ballon d'Or, continuing to redefine what's possible on a football field.
2011: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi secures his third consecutive Ballon d'Or, further cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time.
2012: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi makes history by winning his fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or, an unprecedented achievement.
2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Ronaldo breaks Messi's streak and wins his second Ballon d'Or after another outstanding season with Real Madrid.
2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Ronaldo wins his third Ballon d'Or, leading Real Madrid to Champions League glory.
2015: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi reclaims the Ballon d'Or, leading Barcelona to another treble-winning season.
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Ronaldo wins his fourth Ballon d'Or after leading Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship and winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.
2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Ronaldo equals Messi's record by winning his fifth Ballon d'Or, continuing to dominate the sport.

Recent Years (2018-Present)

2018: Luka Modrić (Croatia) – Modrić breaks the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, winning the Ballon d'Or after leading Croatia to the World Cup final and winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.
2019: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi wins his record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or, showcasing his enduring brilliance.
2020: Not Awarded (COVID-19 Pandemic) – The Ballon d'Or was not awarded in 2020 due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi wins his seventh Ballon d'Or, extending his record and further solidifying his legacy.
2022: Karim Benzema (France) – Benzema wins his first Ballon d'Or after a sensational season with Real Madrid, leading them to Champions League glory.
2023: Lionel Messi (Argentina) - Messi secured his eighth Ballon d'Or, extending his record and highlighting his sustained excellence in the sport.

Women's Ballon d'Or Winners: The Complete List

The Ballon d'Or Féminin, established in 2018, recognizes the best female football player in the world. Although it's a relatively new award, it has already celebrated some incredible talents and inspiring figures in women's football. Let's take a look at the complete list of winners:

2018: Ada Hegerberg (Norway) – Hegerberg, a prolific striker for Lyon, was the first-ever winner of the Ballon d'Or Féminin.
2019: Megan Rapinoe (United States) – Rapinoe, a star player for the United States women's national team, won the Ballon d'Or after leading her team to victory in the 2019 World Cup.
2020: Not Awarded (COVID-19 Pandemic) – The Ballon d'Or Féminin was not awarded in 2020 due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Alexia Putellas (Spain) – Putellas, a dynamic midfielder for Barcelona, won the Ballon d'Or after leading her team to Champions League glory.
2022: Alexia Putellas (Spain) - Putellas secured her second consecutive Ballon d'Or, reaffirming her status as one of the leading figures in women's football.
2023: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain) - Bonmatí claimed the Ballon d'Or, recognizing her outstanding performance and contribution to women's football.

Conclusion

The Ballon d'Or is more than just an award; it's a celebration of excellence, dedication, and passion for the beautiful game. The list of winners reads like a who's who of football legends, each player leaving an unforgettable mark on the sport. From the early pioneers to the modern-day superstars, the Ballon d'Or continues to inspire and captivate football fans around the world. As we look to the future, we can only imagine the incredible talents who will add their names to this prestigious list.