The Ballon d'Or is the pinnacle of individual footballing achievement, honouring the best player in the world each year. Since its inception in 1956, the award has celebrated some of the game's most iconic figures, from pioneers of the past to the superstars of today.
With a history that reflects football's global evolution, here’s a look at the champions who have claimed the Ballon d'Or from 1960 onwards, an era that cemented football's place as the world's most beloved sport.
1960s – The Rise of European Masters
The 1960s saw football legends rise from European clubs to claim the Ballon d'Or. Luis Suárez, Barcelona’s midfield maestro, became the first Spaniard to win in 1960, showcasing his silky skills and visionary passing.
Just a few years later, Bobby Charlton—England’s iconic playmaker—claimed the award in 1966, forever remembered for leading England to World Cup glory that same year. George Best, the charismatic Northern Irishman with dazzling dribbling skills, earned his Ballon d’Or in 1968, epitomising flair and brilliance on and off the pitch.
1970s – The Age of Total Football
The 1970s brought a revolution to football—most notably through Johan Cruyff, who pioneered "Total Football." Cruyff, the Dutch genius, claimed the award three times (1971, 1973, 1974), transforming the way the game was played and inspiring future generations of footballers. His contemporary, Franz Beckenbauer, also stamped his legacy on the sport by winning the Ballon d'Or twice (1972, 1976). Known as "Der Kaiser," Beckenbauer’s intelligence and leadership as a defender redefined the role of a sweeper.
1980s – Power Meets Precision
The 1980s Ballon d'Or winners were a mix of attacking flair and tactical discipline. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the German forward, won back-to-back titles in 1980 and 1981 with his explosive pace and powerful finishing.
But it was Italian forward Paolo Rossi, who captured the world’s heart in 1982 with his World Cup heroics, leading Italy to victory and securing the Ballon d'Or. Meanwhile, French midfield general Michel Platini enjoyed a three-year reign from 1983 to 1985, dazzling with his playmaking and goal-scoring abilities, making him one of the most prolific midfielders in history.
1990s – The Global Game Expands
The 1990s saw the global nature of football emerge, with winners coming from across Europe and beyond. Marco van Basten, the Dutch striker, completed his trio of Ballon d’Or wins in 1992, despite his career being cut short by injury. In 1995, the award opened up to non-European players, allowing Liberian legend George Weah to claim the title—the first and only African player to win the Ballon d’Or so far.
The decade also witnessed the rise of Brazilian brilliance, with Ronaldo claiming two awards (1997, and 2002) and becoming the prototype of the modern striker with his devastating speed, strength, and technique.
2000s – The Age of Galácticos and Young Phenoms
As football became more commercialised and globalised, the Ballon d'Or became a battleground for the era’s biggest superstars. Zinedine Zidane brought artistry and elegance to midfield play, winning the Ballon d'Or in 1998 after leading France to World Cup glory.
The 2000s were also dominated by the Galácticos of Real Madrid, with players like Luis Figo (2000) and Ronaldo (2002) embodying the star power of the era. The rise of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 signalled the arrival of a new breed of footballer—fast, powerful, and endlessly competitive.
2010s – The Messi and Ronaldo Era
The 2010s belonged to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two players, who reshaped the sport and dominated the Ballon d’Or like never before. From 2008 to 2019, Messi won six Ballon d'Or titles, while Ronaldo claimed five.
Messi’s otherworldly dribbling, vision, and playmaking made him an icon for Barcelona, while Ronaldo’s athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and adaptability cemented his place as one of the greatest ever. Their rivalry fueled a golden age for football, with both players setting new records and breaking old ones with ease.
2020s – The New Contenders
As we move into the 2020s, new stars are beginning to emerge as potential Ballon d'Or champions. In 2022, Karim Benzema finally got his due before heading to the Middle East, winning his first Ballon d'Or after leading Real Madrid to another Champions League title. Players like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are poised to claim their spots as future winners, carrying the torch of greatness into the next decade.
List of Ballon d'Or Awardees Through the Years
1956: Stanley Matthews (Blackpool)
1957: Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid)
1958: Raymond Kopa (Real Madrid)
1959: Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid)
1960: Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
1961: Omar Sivori (Juventus)
1962: Josef Masopust (Dukla Prague)
1963: Lev Yashin (Dynamo Moscow)
1964: Denis Law (Manchester United)
1965: Eusebio (Benfica)
1966: Bobby Charlton (Manchester United)
1967: Florian Albert (Ferencvaros)
1968: George Best (Manchester United)
1969: Gianni Rivera (AC Milan)
1970: Gerd Muller (Bayen Munich)
1971: Johan Cruyff (Ajax)
1972: Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich)
1973: Johan Cruyff (Barcelona)
1974: Johan Cruyff (Barcelona)
1975: Oleg Blokhin (Dynamo Kyiv)
1976: Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich)
1977: Allan Simonsen (Borussia Monchengladbach)
1978: Kevin Keegan (Hamburg)
1979: Kevin Keegan (Hamburg)
1980: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich)
1981: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich)
1982: Paolo Rossi (Juventus)
1983: Michel Platini (Juventus)
1984: Michel Platini (Juventus)
1985: Michel Platini (Juventus)
1986: Igor Belanov (Dynamo Kyiv)
1987: Ruud Gullit (AC Milan)
1988: Marco van Basten (AC Milan)
1989: Marco van Basten (AC Milan)
1990: Lothar Matthaus (Internazionale)
1991: Jean-Pierre Papin (Marseille)
1992: Marco van Basten (AC Milan)
1993: Roberto Baggio (Juventus)
1994: Hristo Stoichkov (Barcelona)
1995: George Weah (AC Milan)
1996: Matthias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund)
1997: Ronaldo (Internazionale)
1998: Zinedine Zidane (Juventus)
1999: Rivaldo (Barcelona)
2000: Luis Figo (Real Madrid)
2001: Michael Owen (Liverpool)
2002: Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2003: Pavel Nedved (Juventus)
2004: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan)
2005: Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
2007: Kaka (Milan)
2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
2009: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2010: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2011: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2012: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2015: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2018: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
2019: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2020: None
2021: Lionel Messi (PSG)
2022: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
2023: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
2024: Rodri (Man City)
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