{"id":46033,"date":"2023-12-19T11:50:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T06:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/?post_type=general-knowledge&#038;p=46033"},"modified":"2025-10-09T12:57:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T07:27:29","slug":"ballon-dor-winners","status":"publish","type":"general-knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/general-knowledge\/ballon-dor-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Ballon d&#8217;Or Winners: The Complete List from 1956 to 2024\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Ballon d&#8217;Or stands as football\u2019s most prestigious individual honor, an emblem of greatness that transcends eras. Established in 1956 by <em>France Football<\/em>, it has crowned legends like Messi (8-time winner-the record holder), Ronaldo (5-time winner, most nominations with 18), Cruyff, and Beckenbauer. More than just a trophy, the Ballon d\u2019Or is a celebration of skill, consistency, and flair, recognized and debated by fans, pundits, and players alike. As modern football enters a new chapter, the award continues to symbolize excellence, sparking anticipation and conversation with every shortlist and ceremony. The women\u2019s Ballon d&#8217;Or F\u00e9minin was introduced in 2018, with Ada Hegerberg as its first recipient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ballon d&#8217;Or has evolved over the years, briefly merging with FIFA\u2019s Best Player award (2010-2015) as the FIFA Ballon d\u2019Or before becoming a separate honour again. It serves as a historical marker, celebrating football\u2019s greatest talents across different eras. The first winner was England\u2019s Stanley Matthews, and most recently, Spain\u2019s Rodri in men and Aitana Bonmat\u00ed in women are 2024 Ballon d&#8217;Or winners, claimed the award. This \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/golden-ball-award\/\"><strong>Golden Ball<\/strong><\/a>\u201d continues to be the ultimate individual accolade in football, allowing fans to compare and appreciate the sport\u2019s finest players across generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-look-back-at-the-history-of-ballon-d-or\">History of Ballon d&#8217;Or Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Ballon d&#8217;Or: A Legacy of Football Excellence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ballon d&#8217;Or is the most prestigious individual award in football, recognizing the best player each year. It has a long and rich history, evolving to include players from around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Highlights:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Founded in 1956 by French journalists <em>Gabriel Hanot<\/em> and <em>Jacques Ferran<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Initially awarded only to European players and chosen by a panel of European journalists.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 1995, eligibility was expanded to include non-European players playing in Europe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>George Weah (Liberia) became the first and only African winner so far.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Despite criticism of favoring attacking players, it remains football\u2019s most prestigious individual award.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winning the Ballon d&#8217;Or or Golden Ball cements a player\u2019s legacy among the greatest in football history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The list of Ballon d&#8217;Or winners reflects football\u2019s greatest talents, showcasing legends who have shaped the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How The Ballon d&#8217;Or Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ballon d&#8217;Or winners are chosen through a structured voting system. A jury of 100 journalists, one from each of FIFA\u2019s top 100-ranked nations, participates in the selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Voting Process:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A shortlist of 30 players is presented.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each journalist ranks their top five choices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Points are awarded as follows:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1st place:<\/strong> 6 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2nd place:<\/strong> 4 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3rd place:<\/strong> 3 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4th place:<\/strong> 2 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>5th place:<\/strong> 1 point<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total points are calculated, and the player with the highest score wins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This ensures that the Ballon d Or reflects true footballing excellence based on performance in the previous season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-was-the-first-ballon-d-or-winner\">Who was the First Ballon d\u2019Or winner?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stanley Matthews \u2013 The First Ballon d&#8217;Or Winner (1956)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first-ever Ballon d&#8217;Or was awarded in 1956 to Stanley Matthews, a legendary footballer known for his exceptional dribbling, close control, and game intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Achievements:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Led Blackpool to a historic 4-3 comeback victory against Bolton in the 1953 FA Cup final, famously called the &#8220;Matthews Final.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finished as runner-up in the English top-flight during the 1955-56 season with Blackpool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognized for his remarkable impact on football, securing his place in history as the first Ballon d&#8217;Or winner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Matthews&#8217;s influence on the game remains legendary, inspiring generations of footballers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-won-the-first-ballon-d-or-as-a-female-football-player\">Who won the First Ballon d&#8217;Or as a Female Football Player?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ada Hegerberg \u2013 First Ballon d Or F\u00e9minin Winner (2018)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2018, Ada Hegerberg from Norway became the first-ever winner of the Ballon d&#8217;Or F\u00e9minin, making history in women&#8217;s football. At just 23 years old, she was a standout performer for Olympique Lyonnais.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Achievements:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Top scorer in the UEFA Women\u2019s Champions League with 15 goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Top scorer in France\u2019s Division 1 F\u00e9minine (2017\u201318 season) with 31 goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Played a crucial role in Lyon\u2019s dominance in European football.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Her incredible goal-scoring ability and achievements cemented her place in football history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-has-the-most-ballon-d-or-awards\">Which Player has Won the Most Ballon d\u2019Or Awards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lionel Messi \u2013 Record 8-Time Ballon d&#8217;Or Winner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d&#8217;Or awards in history, with eight titles, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo by three making him the only person when asked &#8220;Which player has won the most ballon d&#8217;or awards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Achievements:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Won four consecutive Golden balls (2009\u20132012) \u2013 the first player to achieve this.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Became the first player to win the FIFA Ballon d&#8217;Or.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secured his eighth Ballon d Or in 2023, cementing his football legacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Now playing for Inter Miami, Messi remains one of the greatest footballers of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cristiano-ronaldo-a-rivalry-in-ballon-d-or-glory\">Cristiano Ronaldo: A Rivalry in Ballon d&#8217;Or Glory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cristiano Ronaldo&#8217;s talent, dedication, and work ethic have made him one of football\u2019s greatest players. He won his first Ballon d Or in 2008 and has remained at the top ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Achievements:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Won the Ballon d&#8217;Or five times.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nominated 18 times, showcasing his consistency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shared a legendary rivalry with Lionel Messi, dominating the award for over a decade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His achievements and impact have cemented his legacy in football history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lionel-messi-beats-erling-haaland-for-a-record-8th-title\">Rodri Beats Erling Haaland For a Record 8th Title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ballon d&#8217;Or 2023 \u2013 Historic Wins for Messi &amp; Bonmati<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lionel Messi made history by winning his eighth Ballon d&#8217;Or, further cementing his football legacy. His outstanding performances during the 2022\/23 season with PSG earned him this honour. He also became the first player to win the Ballon d Or while playing for an MLS team (Inter Miami).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Highlights:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Messi&#8217;s most Ballon d&#8217;Or awards -8<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First-ever Ballon d&#8217;Or winner from MLS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aitana Bonmati won the women\u2019s Ballon d&#8217;Or, recognizing her incredible talent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 2023 ceremony marked another milestone in football history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top 10 Ballon d\u2019Or Winners of All Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Rank<\/th><th>Player<\/th><th>Country<\/th><th>Number of Wins<\/th><th>Years Won<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>8<\/td><td>2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/td><td>Portugal<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Michel Platini<\/td><td>France<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>1983, 1984, 1985<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Johan Cruyff<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>1971, 1973, 1974<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Marco van Basten<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>1988, 1989, 1992<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>Franz Beckenbauer<\/td><td>Germany<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>1972, 1976<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td>Ronaldo Naz\u00e1rio<\/td><td>Brazil<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>1997, 2002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td>Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano<\/td><td>Argentina\/Spain<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>1957, 1959<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9<\/td><td>Kevin Keegan<\/td><td>England<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>1978, 1979<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>Karl-Heinz Rummenigge<\/td><td>Germany<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>1980, 1981<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ballon-d-or-winners-list-from-1956-to-2023-celebrating-football-excellence\">Ballon d&#8217;Or Winners List from 1956 till date: Celebrating Football Excellence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Men\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or Winners: A Brief Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ballon d&#8217;Or, awarded annually by France Football, recognizes the best football player of the year. Since its inception in 1956, legendary players have received this prestigious honor, including Lionel Messi, who holds the record with eight wins, and Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner with the most nominations. The award was briefly merged with FIFA\u2019s Best Player award (2010-2015) but remains independent today. Below is a table showcasing the winners over the years, highlighting football\u2019s greatest talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Year<\/th><th>Player<\/th><th>Nationality<\/th><th>Club<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Ballon d&#8217;Or 2024 Winner<\/td><td>Rodri<\/td><td>Spain<\/td><td>Manchester City<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2023<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>Inter Miami<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2022<\/td><td>Karim Benzema<\/td><td>France<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2021<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>Paris Saint-Germain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2020<\/td><td>Not Awarded<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><td>&#8211;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2019<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2018<\/td><td>Luka Modri\u0107<\/td><td>Croatia<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2017<\/td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/td><td>Portugal<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2016<\/td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/td><td>Portugal<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2015<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2014<\/td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/td><td>Portugal<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2013<\/td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/td><td>Portugal<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2012<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2011<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2010<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2009<\/td><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Argentina<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2008<\/td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/td><td>Portugal<\/td><td>Manchester United<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2007<\/td><td>Kak\u00e1<\/td><td>Brazil<\/td><td>Milan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2006<\/td><td>Fabio Cannavaro<\/td><td>Italy<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2005<\/td><td>Ronaldinho<\/td><td>Brazil<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2004<\/td><td>Andriy Shevchenko<\/td><td>Ukraine<\/td><td>Milan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2003<\/td><td>Pavel Nedv\u011bd<\/td><td>Czechia<\/td><td>Juventus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2002<\/td><td>Ronaldo<\/td><td>Brazil<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2001<\/td><td>Michael Owen<\/td><td>England<\/td><td>Liverpool<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2000<\/td><td>Lu\u00eds Figo<\/td><td>Portugal<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1999<\/td><td>Rivaldo<\/td><td>Brazil<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1998<\/td><td>Zinedine Zidane<\/td><td>France<\/td><td>Juventus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1997<\/td><td>Ronaldo<\/td><td>Brazil<\/td><td>Internazionale<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1996<\/td><td>Matthias Sammer<\/td><td>Germany<\/td><td>Borussia Dortmund<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1995<\/td><td>George Weah<\/td><td>Liberia<\/td><td>Milan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1994<\/td><td>Hristo Stoichkov<\/td><td>Bulgaria<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1993<\/td><td>Roberto Baggio<\/td><td>Italy<\/td><td>Juventus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1992<\/td><td>Marco van Basten<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>Milan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1991<\/td><td>Jean-Pierre Papin<\/td><td>France<\/td><td>Marseille<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1990<\/td><td>Lothar Matth\u00e4us<\/td><td>Germany<\/td><td>Internazionale<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1989<\/td><td>Marco van Basten<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>Milan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1988<\/td><td>Marco van Basten<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>Milan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1987<\/td><td>Ruud Gullit<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>Milan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1986<\/td><td>Igor Belanov<\/td><td>Soviet Union<\/td><td>Dynamo Kyiv<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1985<\/td><td>Michel Platini<\/td><td>France<\/td><td>Juventus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1984<\/td><td>Michel Platini<\/td><td>France<\/td><td>Juventus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1983<\/td><td>Michel Platini<\/td><td>France<\/td><td>Juventus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1982<\/td><td>Paolo Rossi<\/td><td>Italy<\/td><td>Juventus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1981<\/td><td>Karl-Heinz Rummenigge<\/td><td>West Germany<\/td><td>Bayern Munich<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1980<\/td><td>Karl-Heinz Rummenigge<\/td><td>West Germany<\/td><td>Bayern Munich<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1979<\/td><td>Kevin Keegan<\/td><td>England<\/td><td>Hamburg<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1978<\/td><td>Kevin Keegan<\/td><td>England<\/td><td>Hamburg<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1977<\/td><td>Allan Simonsen<\/td><td>Denmark<\/td><td>Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1976<\/td><td>Franz Beckenbauer<\/td><td>West Germany<\/td><td>Bayern Munich<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1975<\/td><td>Oleg Blokhin<\/td><td>Soviet Union<\/td><td>Dynamo Kyiv<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1974<\/td><td>Johan Cruyff<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1973<\/td><td>Johan Cruyff<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1972<\/td><td>Franz Beckenbauer<\/td><td>West Germany<\/td><td>Bayern Munich<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1971<\/td><td>Johan Cruyff<\/td><td>Netherlands<\/td><td>Ajax<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1970<\/td><td>Gerd M\u00fcller<\/td><td>West Germany<\/td><td>Bayern Munich<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1969<\/td><td>Gianni Rivera<\/td><td>Italy<\/td><td>Milan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1968<\/td><td>George Best<\/td><td>Northern Ireland<\/td><td>Manchester United<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1967<\/td><td>Fl\u00f3ri\u00e1n Albert<\/td><td>Hungary<\/td><td>Ferencv\u00e1rosi TC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1966<\/td><td>Bobby Charlton<\/td><td>England<\/td><td>Manchester United<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1965<\/td><td>Eus\u00e9bio<\/td><td>Portugal<\/td><td>Benfica<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1964<\/td><td>Denis Law<\/td><td>Scotland<\/td><td>Manchester United<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1963<\/td><td>Lev Yashin<\/td><td>Soviet Union<\/td><td>Dynamo Moscow<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1962<\/td><td>Josef Masopust<\/td><td>Czechoslovakia<\/td><td>Dukla Prague<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1961<\/td><td>Omar S\u00edvori<\/td><td>Italy<\/td><td>Juventus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1960<\/td><td>Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/td><td>Spain<\/td><td>Barcelona<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1959<\/td><td>Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano<\/td><td>Argentina \/ Spain<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1958<\/td><td>Raymond Kopa<\/td><td>France<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1957<\/td><td>Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano<\/td><td>Argentina \/ Spain<\/td><td>Real Madrid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1956<\/td><td>Stanley Matthews<\/td><td>England<\/td><td>Blackpool<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Highlights<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Most Wins:<\/strong> Lionel Messi (8)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Most Nominations:<\/strong> Cristiano Ronaldo (18)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First Winner (1956):<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stanley_Matthews\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stanley_Matthews\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Stanley Matthews<\/strong><\/a> (England, Blackpool)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First Women&#8217;s Ballon d&#8217;Or Winner (2018):<\/strong> Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Olympique Lyonnais)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Award Not Given:<\/strong> 2020 (COVID-19 Pandemic)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This list showcases football\u2019s greatest players across different eras, making the Ballon d&#8217;Or an accurate marker of excellence in the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Women&#8217;s Ballon d&#8217;Or Winners (Ballon d&#8217;Or F\u00e9minin Winners)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ballon d&#8217;Or F\u00e9minin is the most prestigious individual award in women&#8217;s football, introduced in 2018 by <em>France Football<\/em>. Below is the list of Ballon d&#8217;Or F\u00e9minin winners since its inception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Year<\/th><th>Winner<\/th><th>Nationality<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Ballon d&#8217;Or 2024 Winner<\/td><td>Aitana Bonmat\u00ed<\/td><td>Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2023<\/td><td>Aitana Bonmat\u00ed<\/td><td>Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2022<\/td><td>Alexia Putellas<\/td><td>Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2021<\/td><td>Alexia Putellas<\/td><td>Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2019<\/td><td>Megan Rapinoe<\/td><td>USA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2018<\/td><td>Ada Hegerberg<\/td><td>Norway<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Highlights<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Most Wins:<\/strong> Aitana Bonmat\u00ed &amp; Alexia Putellas (2 each)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First Winner (2018):<\/strong> Ada Hegerberg (Norway)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recent Winner (2024):<\/strong> Aitana Bonmat\u00ed (Spain)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ballon d&#8217;Or F\u00e9minin recognizes the best female footballer each year, celebrating outstanding performances in club and international competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ballon d or Rankings 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Official Men\u2019s Nominees (Top 30)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In August 2025, France Football unveiled the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d\u2019Or, reflecting the standout performers of the 2024\u201325 football season. Notable names include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) leads with nine nominees, including Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, Vitina, Achraf Hakimi, and Gianluigi Donnarumma.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barcelona, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City also feature prominently, each contributing several contenders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Power Rankings: Who&#8217;s Leading the Race?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Current power rankings (indicative of expectations based on form and sentiment):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Rank<\/th><th>Player<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Lamine Yamal<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Vitinha<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Cole Palmer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Raphinha<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These rankings come from TNT Sports and Planet Football, influenced by recent performances and media narratives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Expert Spotlight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>French football legend Emmanuel Petit has publicly endorsed Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 as his top pick, praising PSG\u2019s treble-winning campaign and Demb\u00e9l\u00e9\u2019s role in PSG\u2019s transformation under coach Luis Enrique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Ceremony Details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2025 Ballon d\u2019Or ceremony is set for September 22, 2025, at the iconic Th\u00e9\u00e2tre du Ch\u00e2telet in Paris, featuring awards across men\u2019s and women\u2019s categories, including Player of the Year, Young Player (Kopa Trophy), Goalkeeper (Yashin Trophy), Coach, and Club of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-men-s-nominees-for-ballon-d-or-2023\">Men&#8217;s Nominees for Ballon d&#8217;Or 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\" background-orange \">They changed the voting rules for the Ballon d&#8217;Or winners in 2022. They will grant the award based on season performance rather than calendar year results for the second time. The season ran from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, and they revealed the award candidates on September 6, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/30-players-nominated-for-the-2023-Ballon-dOr.png\" alt=\"30 players nominated for the 2023 Ballon d'Or : ballon d'or winners\n\" class=\"wp-image-225494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/30-players-nominated-for-the-2023-Ballon-dOr.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/30-players-nominated-for-the-2023-Ballon-dOr-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/30-players-nominated-for-the-2023-Ballon-dOr-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/30-players-nominated-for-the-2023-Ballon-dOr-150x113.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They show the complete list of players nominated for this year&#8217;s Ballon d&#8217;Or Winners below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Player Nominated<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Club\/Country<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Andr\u00e9 Onana<\/td><td>Inter-Manchester United\/Cameroon<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Josko Gvardiol<\/td><td>RB Lipsia-Manchester City\/Croatia<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Karim Benzema<\/td><td>Real-Madrid-I Ittihad<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Jamal Musiala<\/td><td>Bayern Munich\/Germany<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mohamed Salah<\/td><td>Liverpool\/Egypt<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Jude Bellingham<\/td><td>Broussia Dortmund-Real Madrid\/England<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bukayo Saka<\/td><td>Arsenal\/England<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Randal Kolo Muani<\/td><td>Eintracht Frankfurt-Paris Saint-Germain\/France<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kevin De Bruyne<\/td><td>Manchester City\/Belgium<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bernardo Silva<\/td><td>Manchester City\/Portugal<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Emiliano Mart\u00ednez<\/td><td>Aston Villa\/Argentina<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Khvicha Kvaratskhelia<\/td><td>Napoli\/Georgia<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>R\u00faben Dias<\/td><td>Manchester City\/Portugal<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nicolo Barella<\/td><td>Inter Milan\/Italy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Erling Haaland<\/td><td>Manchester City\/Norway<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Yassine Bounou<\/td><td>Sevilla-Al Hilal\/Morocco<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Martin \u00d8degaard<\/td><td>Arsenal\/Norway<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez<\/td><td>Manchester City\/Argentina<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ilkay G\u00fcndogan<\/td><td>Barcelona\/Germany<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior<\/td><td>Real Madrid\/Brazil<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lionel Messi<\/td><td>Paris Saint-Germain-Inter Miami\/Argentina<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rodri<\/td><td>Manchester City\/Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lautaro Mart\u00ednez<\/td><td>Inter Milan\/Argentina<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Antoine Griezmann<\/td><td>Atletico Madrid\/France<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Robert Lewandowski<\/td><td>Barcelona\/Poland<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/td><td>Paris Saint-Germain\/France<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kim Min-jae<\/td><td>Napoli-Bayern Munich\/South Korea<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Victor Osimhen<\/td><td>Napoli\/Nigeria<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Luka Modric<\/td><td>Real Madrid\/Croatia<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Harry Kane<\/td><td>Tottenham-Bayern Munich\/England<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-women-s-nominees-for-ballon-d-or-2023\">Women&#8217;s Nominees for Ballon d&#8217;Or 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"background-purple\">The current Ballon d&#8217;Or winner or Ballon d\u2019Or F\u00e9minin winner for 2024 is Aitana Bonmat\u00ed from Spain, Barcelona, making her the latest addition to the prestigious list of Ballon d&#8217;Or winners. With 30 nominees for Women&#8217;s Ballon d\u2019Or or Ballon d&#8217;Or F\u00e9minin 2024 locked in, the world gears up to receive its fifth female best football player. It is essential to mention here that when the Ballon d&#8217;Or for men started in 1956, the tradition of Ballon d&#8217;Or F\u00e9minin began in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Players<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Club\/ Country<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Aitana Bonmati<\/td><td>Barcelona\/Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Millie Bright<\/td><td>Chelsea\/England<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Linda Caicedo<\/td><td>Real Madrid\/Colombia<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Olga Carmona<\/td><td>Real Madrid\/Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rachel Daly<\/td><td>Aston Villa\/England<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Debinha<\/td><td>North Carolina-Kansas City\/Brazil<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kadidiatou Diani<\/td><td>Paris Saint-Germain-Lyon\/France<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mary Earps<\/td><td>Manchester United\/England<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Patricia Guijarro<\/td><td>Barcelona\/Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Yui Hasegawa<\/td><td>Manchester City\/Japan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Amanda Ilestedt<\/td><td>Paris-Saint Germain-Arsenal\/Sweden<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sam Kerr<\/td><td>Chelsea\/Australia<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mapi Leon<\/td><td>Barcelona\/Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Katie McCabe<\/td><td>Arsenal\/Republic of Ireland<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hinata Miyazawa<\/td><td>MyNavi Senday-Manchester United\/Japan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lena Oberdorf<\/td><td>Wolfsburg\/Germany<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Asisat Oshoala<\/td><td>Barcelona\/Nigeria<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ewa Pajor<\/td><td>Wolfsburg\/Poland<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Salma Paralluelo<\/td><td>Barcelona\/Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Alexandra Popp<\/td><td>Wolfsburg\/Germany<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hayley Raso<\/td><td>Manchester City-Real Madrid\/Australia<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Alba Redondo<\/td><td>Levante\/Spain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Guro Reiten<\/td><td>Chelsea\/Norway<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Wendie Renard<\/td><td>Lyon\/France<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Jill Roord<\/td><td>Wolfsburg-Manchester City\/Netherlands<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fridolina Rolfo<\/td><td>Barcelona\/Swede<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Khadija Shaw<\/td><td>Manchester City\/Jamaica<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sophia Smith<\/td><td>Portland Thorns\/United States<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Georgia Stanway<\/td><td>Bayern Munich\/England<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Daphne van Domselaar<\/td><td>Twente-Aston Villa\/Netherlands<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-art-of-ballon-d-or-winners-ranking\">The Art of Ballon d\u2019Or Winners Ranking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ballon d\u2019Or winners&#8217; selection criteria have undergone major changes. Now, a panel of international journalists, managers, national team coaches, and captains who vote for the winner considers three things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> The ranking criteria of Ballon d\u2019Or include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-individual-performance\">1. Individual Performance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on their individual goals scored, assists, defensive contributions, and overall consistency in their playing performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-team-success\">2. Team Success<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They take into account achievements from the club of which the player is a part and the national team. Therefore, it becomes crucial to be consistent to maintain a level of high standard performance all year long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-fair-play\">3. Fair Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A player&#8217;s conduct and sportsmanship, including avoiding suspensions and other disciplinary actions, may influence the voting. Even so, the Ballon d&#8217;Or rating has always been the subject of discussions and disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-neymar-s-quest-for-ballon-d-or-glory\">Neymar&#8217;s Quest for Ballon d\u2019Or Glory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Neymar &amp; the Ballon d&#8217;Or \u2013 A Missing Honor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Neymar is widely regarded as one of the most talented footballers of his generation. His skill and teamwork have led Barcelona to multiple victories, including La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Points:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ballon d&#8217;Or Wins:<\/strong> 0 (Despite his talent, he has never won the award.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Career Setbacks:<\/strong> Injuries have affected his chances of winning major individual honors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legacy:<\/strong> Even without a Ballon d&#8217;Or, Neymar remains a key figure in global football.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-essence-of-the-ballon-d-or-what-does-it-signify\">The Essence of the Ballon d\u2019Or: What Does it Signify?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In football, the Ballon d&#8217;Or sets the standard for achievement and recognition. More than just an award; people consider it significant. It represents the commitment, skill, and influence of athletes who have made a lasting image in this field. Also, it represents several important characteristics and ideals, including individual genius, international renown, historical significance, and motivation for the next players. It brings the world of football together, recognizing artistic ability and much more. For those who earn it, joining the ranks of Ballon d&#8217;Or winners is a testament to their extraordinary contributions to the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-price-of-prestige-what-a-ballon-d-or-meaning\">The Price of Prestige: What a Ballon d\u2019Or Means<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To be named a Ballon d&#8217;Or holds much more significance than simply receiving a prize. It also contains the aspirations, final successes, and desires of football players who have made a lasting impression on the sport. What is the cost of the Ballon d&#8217;Or, though?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No cash prize is awarded to the winner. This honor recognizes both male and female top football players worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, a player winning the Ballon d&#8217;Or does induce a substantial financial impact on them.&nbsp; This includes things like enhanced market value, endorsement deals, pay raises, and merchandise opportunities. Winning the Ballon d&#8217;Or greatly impacts a football player&#8217;s financial possibilities and chances by influencing their status and recognition. For Ballon d&#8217;Or winners, the award brings far-reaching rewards beyond just football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-trailblazers-of-the-ballon-d-or-most-wins-in-history\">Trailblazers of the Ballon d\u2019Or: Most Wins in History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you wondering how many Ballon d\u2019Ors Messi has? And how many Ballon d\u2019Ors does Ronaldo have? Being the greatest football giants of their time, these two are the most Ballon d\u2019Or winners ever. Messi holds the maximum number of men&#8217;s Ballon d&#8217;Or awards, with a record of winning it eight times. Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award five times. After Messi, Ronaldo took the position of the most Ballon d\u2019Or winners. Other legendary footballers who have won the Ballon d\u2019Or winner award more than twice include Marco van, Johan Cruyff, and Michel Platini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-next-generation-rising-stars-in-ballon-d-or-contention\">The Next Generation: Rising Stars in Ballon d&#8217;Or Contention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For a long time now, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the football sphere. After these two legendary swimmers, there are some other names for the next Ballon d&#8217;Or winners. Here are some of the guesses about who can carry this legacy forward:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list vertical-line\">\n<li>Josko Gvardiol, having a standout for both Croatia and RB Leipzig<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Andre Onana, for being one of the best keepers in Europe last year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jamal Musiala has bagged 12 goals and added 12 assists.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, other footballers who are at the peak of their game include Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane, and Erling Haaland. Their incredible talents have brought them to this position in their career in recent years. If experts have to believe, they possess the potential to join the ranks of the Ballon d&#8217;Or winners. But winning depends on many factors, such as team performance, individual performance, and voting patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading conclusion-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ballon d\u2019Or has a rich history and an enduring legacy. This represents excellence and recognition in the field of football. It transcends the confines of time and provides a connecting link between the games\u2019 present, past, and future. This reflects the passion, dedication, and artistry that define football. It inspires generations of football enthusiasts, who showcase the magnificent sport and the remarkable individuals who leave a lasting mark on it. Spain\u2019s Rodri in men &amp; Aitana Bonmat\u00ed in women are the 2024 Ballon d\u2019Or winners, with the record of the most Ballon d&#8217;Or winners list, i.e. eighth time at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"vertical-line read-more\"><strong>Read More:-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/football-world-cup-winners-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Football World Cup Winners List<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/nobel-prize-winners-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The List of Nobel Prize Winners from India<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/gallantry-awards\/\">Gallantry Awards: Inspiring Stories<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/golden-ball-award\/\">Golden Ball Award<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/fifa-world-cup-golden-glove\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: R\u0435c\u0435nt Award\u0435\u0435, 2022<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/golden-boot-winners\/\">Ultimate FIFA Golden Boot Winners List<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/highest-goal-scorer-in-fifa-world-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Highest Goal Scorer in FIFA World Cup History: A Legend<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/general-knowledge\/football-world-cup-winners-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Football World Cup Winners List: Champions Through the Years<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading faq-heading\" id=\"h-faqs-on-ballon-d-or-winners\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ&#8217;s)<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-667cd872876a5\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How many Ballon d&#8217;Or does Zidane have?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Zinedine Zidane has won 1 Ballon d&#8217;Or (in 1998).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-667cd872876a6\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Who is the youngest player to win the Ballon d&#8217;Or?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>In 1997, the Ballon d&#8217;Or was awarded to Brazilian superstar Ronaldo on December 23. At just 21 years old, Ronaldo became the youngest player to ever receive this prestigious honour, as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-667cd872876a7\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Who deserve the Ballon d&#8217;Or in 2025?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>As of mid-2025, Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 is considered the top contender for the 2025 Ballon d\u2019Or, thanks to his crucial contributions to Paris Saint-Germain\u2019s historic treble, which included their first-ever Champions League victory. He recorded 33 goals and 12 assists during the season.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733982671804\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What player has a Super Ballon d&#8217;Or?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>As of November 1989, the special Ballon d&#8217;Or award has been given only once, awarded to Spanish-Argentine forward Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano. The winner was chosen through votes from viewers, readers, a panel of France Football judges, and former Ballon d&#8217;Or winners.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1751356372950\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Has a defender won the Ballon d&#8217;Or?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, several defenders have won the Ballon d&#8217;Or.<br \/>Here is the list of defenders who have achieved this honor:<br \/>Fabio Cannavaro\u00a0(2006) &#8211; Italy<br \/>Franz Beckenbauer\u00a0(1972, 1976) &#8211; West Germany<br \/>Matthias Sammer\u00a0(1996) &#8211; Germany<br \/>Lothar Matth\u00e4us\u00a0(1990) &#8211; Germany (primarily a sweeper\/defensive midfielder that year)<br \/>Additionally,\u00a0Bobby Moore\u00a0(England) finished 2nd in 1970, and\u00a0Paolo Maldini\u00a0(Italy) finished 3rd in both 1994 and 2003.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1751359726611\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Who has won the ballon d&#8217;or in history?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Among all Ballon d\u2019Or winners, Lionel Messi holds the record with eight titles, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with five. Other notable Ballon d\u2019Or winners include Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten, each with three awards.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1755164885956\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong><strong>Did David Beckham win a Ballon d\u2019Or?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No, David Beckham never won the Ballon d\u2019Or. His closest attempt was in 1999, when he placed second behind Rivaldo in the voting, garnering 154 points while Rivaldo earned 219 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/football\/ballon-d-or-7-footballers-who-came-second-best-and-never-won-the-trophy?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1755164927624\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How much does a Ballon d\u2019Or winner get?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>There\u2019s no direct cash prize from <em>France Football<\/em> for winning the Ballon d\u2019Or. The only tangible reward is the trophy itself, valued at around \u20ac3,000. However, winners often receive significant bonus payouts tied to performance clauses in their contracts. For example, Luka Modri\u0107 reportedly received up to \u20ac800,000 from sponsorship bonuses, Cristiano Ronaldo had a \u20ac4 million clause, and Benzema around \u20ac2 million.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1755164964003\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How many Ballon d\u2019Or did Ronaldinho win?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Ronaldinho won the Ballon d\u2019Or once, in 2005. His magical performances for Barcelona and Brazil earned him football\u2019s highest individual accolade that year <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2005_Ballon_d%27Or?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":176,"featured_media":281637,"template":"","meta":[],"general-knowledge-category":[24753],"class_list":["post-46033","general-knowledge","type-general-knowledge","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","general-knowledge-category-awards"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/general-knowledge\/46033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/general-knowledge"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/general-knowledge"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/176"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/281637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"general-knowledge-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/general-knowledge-category?post=46033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}