Football Awards
Ballon d’Or records: Which countries and players have won the most awards?
Argentina and France lead the all-time men's Ballon d’Or rankings with eight titles each, while Lionel Messi remains the most decorated player in the award's history.
21 October 2026
Argentina and France share the record for the most men's Ballon d’Or awards, with eight victories each, as football prepares for the 2026 ceremony in London on Monday, 26 October.
Lionel Messi has accounted for all eight of Argentina's victories, making him the most successful player in the competition's history. France, by contrast, has produced six different winners, including Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, Karim Benzema and reigning champion Ousmane Dembélé.
Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands follow with seven awards each, while Brazil, England and Italy have five apiece.
The figures reflect the history of the men's prize through 2025. The 2026 winners have not yet been announced.
Created by French magazine France Football in 1956, the Ballon d’Or recognises outstanding individual performances in football. The award has been organised jointly with UEFA since 2024.
This year's ceremony marks its 70th anniversary and will be held at the London Palladium, the first time the event has taken place in the British capital.
Which countries have won the most Ballon d’Or awards?
All-time men's Ballon d’Or titles by country
Country | Awards | Most successful player |
Argentina | 8 | Lionel Messi (8) |
France | 8 | Michel Platini (3) |
Portugal | 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo (5) |
Germany | 7 | Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (2 each) |
Netherlands | 7 | Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten (3 each) |
Brazil | 5 | Ronaldo Nazário (2) |
England | 5 | Kevin Keegan (2) |
Italy | 5 | Five players (1 each) |
Spain | 4 | Alfredo Di Stéfano (2) |
Messi leads the individual rankings with eight titles
Messi's dominance is central to Argentina's position at the top of the national rankings.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward won four consecutive awards between 2009 and 2012, before adding further victories in 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
His eighth trophy followed Argentina's victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Cristiano Ronaldo occupies second place with five awards, won in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Three former players share third place, with three titles each: France's Michel Platini and Dutch legends Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten.
Players with the most men's Ballon d’Or awards
Player | Country | Titles |
Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 |
Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 5 |
Michel Platini | France | 3 |
Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | 3 |
Marco van Basten | Netherlands | 3 |
Other footballers who have won twice include Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo Nazário, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Kevin Keegan and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Messi and Ronaldo's combined 13 victories demonstrate their extraordinary influence on the award during the modern era of European club football. France, Portugal and Brazil among the leading football nationsFrance has accumulated eight awards across six winners. Raymond Kopa began the country's success in 1958, followed by Platini's three consecutive victories from 1983 to 1985. Jean-Pierre Papin won in 1991, Zidane in 1998, Benzema in 2022 and Dembélé in 2025. Dembélé's victory, following his successful season with Paris Saint-Germain, brought France level with Argentina. Portugal's seven awards have come from Eusébio in 1965, Luís Figo in 2000 and Ronaldo's five victories. Germany's record includes two awards each for Beckenbauer and Rummenigge, alongside victories for Gerd Müller, Lothar Matthäus and Matthias Sammer. The Netherlands owes its seven trophies to Cruyff, Ruud Gullit and Van Basten. Brazil's five victories were earned by Ronaldo Nazário, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaká. Ronaldo won twice, in 1997 and 2002, while the other three received one award each. England's winners include inaugural recipient Stanley Matthews in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, and Michael Owen in 2001. Spain has four titles through Di Stéfano's victories in 1957 and 1959, Luis Suárez in 1960 and Rodri in 2024. Who could add to their country's tally in 2026?The 2026 men's shortlist includes 30 players, with established stars competing alongside some of football's leading younger talents. Among those nominated are England captain Harry Kane, Spain's Lamine Yamal, France's Kylian Mbappé and reigning champion Dembélé. Kane is seeking to become the first English player to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001. Yamal is among six Spanish nominees, following Spain's 2026 World Cup triumph, while Mbappé and Dembélé are among five French representatives. Portugal has four shortlisted players: Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, João Neves and Vitinha. Brazil is represented by Gabriel, Marquinhos and Vinícius Júnior, while Messi is again among Argentina's nominees. A victory for a French or Argentinian player would move that country clear at the top of the all-time standings. A Portuguese winner would bring Portugal level with the current leaders. The shortlist also includes African stars Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Sadio Mané of Senegal. Despite Africa producing many internationally successful footballers, Liberia's George Weah, who won the award in 1995, remains the continent's only men's Ballon d’Or winner. When and how is the 2026 Ballon d’Or decided?2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony Date Monday, 26 October Venue London Palladium Start time 20:00 GMT Rwanda time 22:00 CAT Official ceremony details published by UEFA. |
