The Ballon d’Or, which means “Golden Ball” in French, is the best-known individual prize in football. Winning it means being named the best player in the world for a season, and it has become a measure of greatness that fans debate for years.
This guide covers where the award came from, how it changed, who has won it, how the rules work and which other trophies are handed out at the ceremony.
Where the award came from
The Ballon d’Or was created in 1956 by the French magazine France Football, led by its editor Gabriel Hanot. In the same era, its editor had helped to push for the creation of the European Cup, and the magazine wanted a prize for the best player on the continent. A panel of European journalists voted, and the first winner was the English winger Stanley Matthews, then 41 years old, who played for Blackpool.
For decades, only players from Europe could win. The rules were widened in 1995 to include any player at a European club, and George Weah of Liberia, who played for AC Milan, became the first African winner that year. Since 2007, players of any nationality, playing anywhere in the world, have been eligible.
The legends of the award
- Alfredo Di Stefano: Won in 1957 and 1959 with Real Madrid.
- Lev Yashin: The Soviet goalkeeper won in 1963 and remains the only goalkeeper to win.
- Johan Cruyff: Won in 1971, 1973 and 1974, the face of Total Football.
- Franz Beckenbauer: Won in 1972 and 1976 as a defender.
- Michel Platini: Won three years in a row from 1983 to 1985.
- Marco van Basten: Won in 1988, 1989 and 1992.
- Ronaldo Nazario and Zinedine Zidane: Brazil and France’s great stars of the late 1990s.
- Fabio Cannavaro: The captain of Italy’s 2006 World Cup team, and the most recent defender to win.
The Messi and Ronaldo era
From 2008 to 2017, the award was won by only two players. Cristiano Ronaldo won it in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Lionel Messi won in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015, and later added 2019, 2021 and 2023 for a total of eight, which is the record. Luka Modric ended their long run by winning in 2018 after leading Croatia to the World Cup final.
Recent winners
- 2018: Luka Modric
- 2019: Lionel Messi
- 2020: No award, because of the Covid-19 pandemic
- 2021: Lionel Messi
- 2022: Karim Benzema
- 2023: Lionel Messi
- 2024: Rodri
- 2025: Ousmane Dembele
- 2026: Harry Kane
The 2026 ceremony took place in London on 26 October and was the first in the award’s history held outside Paris. Harry Kane won the main prize, and Lamine Yamal finished third in the voting. You can read about two of the evening’s biggest stories in our report on Bukayo Saka’s Socrates Award and our story on Thierry Henry’s surprise question to Lamine Yamal.
The women’s Ballon d’Or
The women’s award began in 2018, and Ada Hegerberg of Norway was the first winner. Megan Rapinoe won in 2019, Alexia Putellas won in 2021 and 2022, and Aitana Bonmati won in 2023 and 2024. The creation of the award helped raise the profile of women’s football around the world.
How the voting works
A panel of journalists from top-ranked countries selects the winner. Each voter ranks their best players, and points are added to decide the final order. The criteria usually include individual performances, team achievements, class and fair play. Because the award is voted for rather than measured, it will always produce disagreements. Some voters give more weight to major trophies, such as the World Cup or the Champions League, and others look at personal statistics or influence.
Other trophies at the ceremony
- Kopa Trophy: Best young player, awarded since 2018.
- Yashin Trophy: Best goalkeeper, awarded since 2019.
- Gerd Muller Trophy: Top goalscorer of the season, awarded since 2021.
- Socrates Award: For humanitarian work by a footballer, awarded since 2022.
- Club of the Year: For the best men’s and women’s club teams.
Seasons that defined the award
- 1966: Bobby Charlton won after helping England to win the World Cup at Wembley.
- 1995: George Weah’s win for AC Milan opened the award to the whole world and made him a hero across Africa.
- 1998: Zinedine Zidane won after scoring twice in the World Cup final for host nation France.
- 2018: Luka Modric ended the Messi and Ronaldo era after leading Real Madrid to another Champions League title and Croatia to the World Cup final.
- 2024: Rodri won after helping Manchester City to a fourth straight league title and Spain to the European Championship, a rare win for a defensive midfielder.
African players and the award
George Weah is still the only African to have won the men’s prize, but many have finished near the top. Sadio Mane finished second in 2022, behind Karim Benzema, and Mohamed Salah, Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure have all appeared on shortlists or received votes in different years. Nigerian stars have appeared on the shortlist in recent years, and young African players such as those who developed through academies are increasingly in the conversation. The CAF African Footballer of the Year award, which has been given since 1970 in various forms, is the continent’s own equivalent and gives African players a major platform of their own.
Why defenders and goalkeepers rarely win
Only a handful of defenders and one goalkeeper have won the award. Voters tend to notice goals and assists, and attackers produce more of them, so strikers, wingers and creative midfielders are usually favoured. Defenders win when they are part of a historic team success, as Fabio Cannavaro was with Italy in 2006. Followers of football often argue that this is unfair, which is one reason the Yashin Trophy for goalkeepers was created.
Controversies and fair questions
Every year the award leads to arguments. Some fans say it favours attackers over defenders and midfielders. Others say it can reward the winners of the biggest tournaments too much. In 2010 to 2015, the Ballon d’Or was merged with FIFA’s own award, then separated again in 2016. Some legends never won it, among them Pele, who was later given an honorary award. The debates are part of the fun, and they are a reminder that football is about opinions as well as statistics.
Key takeaways
- The Ballon d’Or was created by France Football in 1956, and Stanley Matthews was the first winner.
- George Weah was the first African winner, in 1995, and Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win.
- Lionel Messi has the most wins, with eight, and Cristiano Ronaldo has five.
- The women’s award began in 2018 and the Kopa, Yashin and Socrates trophies were added later.
- Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or at a ceremony in London.
Frequently asked questions
Who has won the most Ballon d’Or awards?
Lionel Messi, with eight (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023). Cristiano Ronaldo has five.
Who was the first African winner?
George Weah of Liberia, in 1995, while playing for AC Milan.
Why was there no Ballon d’Or in 2020?
The award was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted the football calendar.
Who won the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Harry Kane. The ceremony was held in London on 26 October 2026.
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About this article. Written by the Blessed Records Exclusive Entertainment editorial team from published football history and official records. The images are original illustrations made for this site. We update our guides when facts change. If you spot a mistake, please contact us and we will check it.