Last updated:
Every Ballon d'Or Winner in History (1956–2026)
France Football launched the Ballon d'Or in 1956, and it is still the most famous individual award in football. Below is every winner up to October 2026, with the nation each one played for and his club in the winning year. Every name links to that player's page with his full club career.
WhoBaller a footballer guessing game for iPhoneHow it worksBallon d'Or 2026
Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or on 26 October 2026 at the London Palladium, the first ceremony held outside Paris. Kylian Mbappé finished second and Lamine Yamal third. Kane is the first Bayern Munich player to win since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981, and the fifth Englishman after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan, and Michael Owen. Unai Simón of Athletic Bilbao took the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper.
Full list of winners
Most wins
Lionel Messi has eight (2009–2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023) and Cristiano Ronaldo has five. Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini (three in a row, 1983–85) and Marco van Basten have three each. By nation, Argentina and France lead with eight each. By club, Barcelona and Real Madrid have 12 each, ahead of Milan and Juventus with eight.
Rule changes
- Until 1994 only European players were eligible, which is why Pelé and Maradona never won it.
- 1995: open to anyone at a European club, and George Weah became the first non-European winner.
- 2007: open to every professional player worldwide; Kaká was the first winner under the new rules.
- 2010–2015: merged with FIFA World Player of the Year as the FIFA Ballon d’Or.
- 2020: not awarded because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only three defenders have won it: Franz Beckenbauer, Matthias Sammer and Fabio Cannavaro. The only goalkeeper is Lev Yashin (1963).
Show the answer
Michel Platini
