The Ballon d’Or is football’s most famous individual award, given every year since 1956 by the French magazine France Football. The latest winner is Harry Kane, who won the 2026 Ballon d’Or at a ceremony at the London Palladium on 26 October 2026, ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. Lionel Messi holds the record with eight wins, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with five.
This guide lists every Ballon d’Or winner from 1956 to 2026, with their country and club, the Ballon d’Or Féminin winners, the players and countries with the most wins, the other awards presented at the ceremony and the key facts behind football’s biggest individual prize.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Harry Kane wins
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Ballon d’Or (men) | Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich) |
| Ballon d’Or Féminin | Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona) |
| Best young player (men) | Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona) |
| Best young player (women) | Vicky López (Spain, Barcelona) |
| Best goalkeeper (men) | Unai Simón (Spain) |
| Best goalkeeper (women) | Cata Coll (Spain) |
| Best coach (men) | Luis de la Fuente (Spain) |
| Best coach (women) | Pere Romeu (Barcelona) |
| Club of the year (men) | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Club of the year (women) | Barcelona |
| Sócrates Award | Bukayo Saka |
Kane became the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001 and only the fifth Englishman to win the award. He beat strong competition from Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, while Rodri and Lionel Messi were also among the top five. Ousmane Dembélé, the 2025 winner, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were among the other leading names in the ranking.
Spain dominated the other awards after winning the 2026 World Cup. Coach Luis de la Fuente and goalkeeper Unai Simón were both honoured, and Lamine Yamal won the young player award for the third year in a row. Read the story of Spain’s win in our World Cup 2026 winner article.
Full Ballon d’Or winners list (1956–2026)
The tables below list every men’s Ballon d’Or winner. The award was not presented in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ballon d’Or winners 1956–1969
| Year | Winner | Country | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Stanley Matthews | England | Blackpool |
| 1957 | Alfredo Di Stéfano | Spain | Real Madrid |
| 1958 | Raymond Kopa | France | Real Madrid |
| 1959 | Alfredo Di Stéfano | Spain | Real Madrid |
| 1960 | Luis Suárez | Spain | Barcelona |
| 1961 | Omar Sívori | Italy | Juventus |
| 1962 | Josef Masopust | Czechoslovakia | Dukla Prague |
| 1963 | Lev Yashin | Soviet Union | Dynamo Moscow |
| 1964 | Denis Law | Scotland | Manchester United |
| 1965 | Eusébio | Portugal | Benfica |
| 1966 | Bobby Charlton | England | Manchester United |
| 1967 | Flórián Albert | Hungary | Ferencváros |
| 1968 | George Best | Northern Ireland | Manchester United |
| 1969 | Gianni Rivera | Italy | AC Milan |
Ballon d’Or winners 1970–1989
| Year | Winner | Country | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Gerd Müller | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1971 | Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | Ajax |
| 1972 | Franz Beckenbauer | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1973 | Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | Barcelona |
| 1974 | Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | Barcelona |
| 1975 | Oleg Blokhin | Soviet Union | Dynamo Kyiv |
| 1976 | Franz Beckenbauer | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1977 | Allan Simonsen | Denmark | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| 1978 | Kevin Keegan | England | Hamburg |
| 1979 | Kevin Keegan | England | Hamburg |
| 1980 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1981 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | West Germany | Bayern Munich |
| 1982 | Paolo Rossi | Italy | Juventus |
| 1983 | Michel Platini | France | Juventus |
| 1984 | Michel Platini | France | Juventus |
| 1985 | Michel Platini | France | Juventus |
| 1986 | Igor Belanov | Soviet Union | Dynamo Kyiv |
| 1987 | Ruud Gullit | Netherlands | AC Milan |
| 1988 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands | AC Milan |
| 1989 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands | AC Milan |
Ballon d’Or winners 1990–2009
| Year | Winner | Country | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Lothar Matthäus | West Germany | Inter Milan |
| 1991 | Jean-Pierre Papin | France | Marseille |
| 1992 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands | AC Milan |
| 1993 | Roberto Baggio | Italy | Juventus |
| 1994 | Hristo Stoichkov | Bulgaria | Barcelona |
| 1995 | George Weah | Liberia | AC Milan |
| 1996 | Matthias Sammer | Germany | Borussia Dortmund |
| 1997 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Inter Milan |
| 1998 | Zinedine Zidane | France | Juventus |
| 1999 | Rivaldo | Brazil | Barcelona |
| 2000 | Luís Figo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2001 | Michael Owen | England | Liverpool |
| 2002 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Real Madrid |
| 2003 | Pavel Nedvěd | Czech Republic | Juventus |
| 2004 | Andriy Shevchenko | Ukraine | AC Milan |
| 2005 | Ronaldinho | Brazil | Barcelona |
| 2006 | Fabio Cannavaro | Italy | Real Madrid |
| 2007 | Kaká | Brazil | AC Milan |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Manchester United |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
Ballon d’Or winners 2010–2026
| Year | Winner | Country | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Real Madrid |
| 2018 | Luka Modrić | Croatia | Real Madrid |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Barcelona |
| 2020 | Not awarded (COVID-19) | – | – |
| 2021 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2022 | Karim Benzema | France | Real Madrid |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | Inter Miami |
| 2024 | Rodri | Spain | Manchester City |
| 2025 | Ousmane Dembélé | France | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2026 | Harry Kane | England | Bayern Munich |
Most Ballon d’Or wins by player
| Player | Country | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 5 | 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | 3 | 1971, 1973, 1974 |
| Michel Platini | France | 3 | 1983, 1984, 1985 |
| Marco van Basten | Netherlands | 3 | 1988, 1989, 1992 |
| Alfredo Di Stéfano | Spain | 2 | 1957, 1959 |
| Franz Beckenbauer | West Germany | 2 | 1972, 1976 |
| Kevin Keegan | England | 2 | 1978, 1979 |
| Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | West Germany | 2 | 1980, 1981 |
| Ronaldo | Brazil | 2 | 1997, 2002 |
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo won 13 of the 15 awards between 2008 and 2023 (the 2020 award was cancelled), one of the most dominant eras in any sport. Messi is the only player to win four in a row (2009–2012), and Platini is the only other player to win three in a row (1983–1985). For both players’ records on the biggest international stage, see our guides to Messi’s World Cup stats and Ronaldo’s World Cup goals.
Ballon d’Or wins by country
| Country | Wins |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 8 (all Messi) |
| France | 8 |
| Netherlands | 7 |
| Germany / West Germany | 7 |
| Portugal | 7 |
| England | 6 |
| Italy | 5 |
| Brazil | 5 |
| Spain | 4 |
France’s eight wins come from Kopa, Platini (three), Papin, Zidane, Benzema and Dembélé. England’s six include two each for Keegan, plus Matthews, Charlton, Owen and Kane. Other countries with a winner include the Soviet Union (three), Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Hungary, Denmark, Bulgaria, Liberia, Ukraine and Croatia.
Ballon d’Or wins by club
| Club | Wins |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 12 |
| Barcelona | 12 |
| Juventus | 8 |
| AC Milan | 8 |
| Bayern Munich | 6 |
| Manchester United | 4 |
Spain’s two giants lead the way. Barcelona’s total is driven by Messi’s six wins while at the club, while Real Madrid’s winners range from Di Stéfano in the 1950s to Cristiano Ronaldo, Modrić and Benzema. Bayern Munich have had six winners, most recently Harry Kane in 2026.
Ballon d’Or Féminin winners
The women’s award, the Ballon d’Or Féminin, was introduced in 2018. Spain’s Barcelona players have dominated it in recent years.
| Year | Winner | Country | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ada Hegerberg | Norway | Lyon |
| 2019 | Megan Rapinoe | United States | Reign FC |
| 2020 | Not awarded (COVID-19) | – | – |
| 2021 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2022 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2023 | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2024 | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2025 | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2026 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
Putellas and Bonmatí have now won three each, and Barcelona players have won every women’s award since 2021. Putellas beat Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay to win in 2026. For the women’s international game, see our Women’s World Cup winners list.
Other Ballon d’Or awards
Over the past decade, the ceremony has grown to include several other trophies:
| Award | Introduced | What it recognises |
|---|---|---|
| Ballon d’Or Féminin | 2018 | Best women’s player |
| Kopa Trophy | 2018 | Best player aged under 21 |
| Yashin Trophy | 2019 | Best goalkeeper |
| Gerd Müller Trophy | 2021 | Top scorer across club and international football |
| Club of the Year | 2021 | Best club team |
| Sócrates Award | 2022 | Humanitarian and social work |
| Johan Cruyff Trophy | 2024 | Best coach |
Lamine Yamal’s third straight young player award in 2026 made him one of the most decorated young players in the award’s history. For the World Cup’s own individual prizes, see our lists of Golden Ball winners, Young Player Award winners and Golden Glove winners.
How the Ballon d’Or is decided
The Ballon d’Or is decided by a panel of journalists from around the world. Since 2022, the voting panel has been made up of journalists from the top 100 nations in the FIFA men’s world ranking, and the award has covered a full European football season rather than a calendar year.
Voters are asked to consider three main criteria:
- Individual performance and decisive impact during the season.
- Team performance and trophies won.
- Class and fair play.
Each voter ranks their top players, points are given for each position, and the player with the most points wins. In 2025, Ousmane Dembélé won with 1,380 points, ahead of Lamine Yamal (1,059) and Vitinha (703).
A short history of the Ballon d’Or
The award was created in 1956 by France Football journalist Gabriel Hanot. Stanley Matthews of Blackpool was the first winner. For almost forty years only European players were eligible, which is why great players such as Pelé and Diego Maradona never won the official award during their careers.
The rules were opened in 1995 to players of any nationality playing for European clubs, and George Weah of Liberia immediately became the first non-European winner. From 2007, players from any club in the world could be considered. Between 2010 and 2015, the award was merged with FIFA’s World Player of the Year and presented as the FIFA Ballon d’Or, before the two awards separated again in 2016.
Since 2024, the ceremony has been organised together with UEFA, and the 2026 ceremony was held at the London Palladium.
Harry Kane: the 2026 winner
Harry Kane’s win completed a remarkable rise for a player who was loaned out to lower-league clubs early in his career. After becoming Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer and England’s record goalscorer, he moved to Bayern Munich in 2023, where his scoring continued at an extraordinary rate. At the 2026 ceremony he won the main award as well as the men’s striker of the year award.
Kane’s victory also ended a long wait for England. Before him, the last English winner was Michael Owen of Liverpool in 2001, 25 years earlier. He is the first Bayern Munich player to win since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Ballon d’Or records
| Record | Holder |
|---|---|
| Most wins | Lionel Messi, 8 |
| Most consecutive wins | Lionel Messi, 4 (2009–2012) |
| Oldest winner | Stanley Matthews, aged 41 (1956) |
| Youngest winner | Ronaldo (Brazil), aged 21 (1997) |
| Only goalkeeper to win | Lev Yashin (1963) |
| First non-European winner | George Weah (1995) |
| Most wins by a club | Real Madrid and Barcelona, 12 each |
Ballon d’Or winners by position
Attacking players have won the vast majority of Ballon d’Or awards. Only a handful of defenders and one goalkeeper have ever won it:
- Goalkeeper: Lev Yashin (1963) is the only goalkeeper to win. The Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper is named after him.
- Defenders: Franz Beckenbauer (1972 and 1976), Matthias Sammer (1996) and Fabio Cannavaro (2006). Cannavaro won after captaining Italy to the 2006 World Cup.
- Midfielders: recent midfield winners include Luka Modrić (2018) and Rodri (2024), who both broke up long runs of winners who were mainly forwards.
Great players who never won the Ballon d’Or
Because only European players were eligible until 1995, several of the greatest footballers in history never won the official award, including Pelé and Diego Maradona. France Football later gave both of them honorary awards to recognise their careers.
Other famous names who never won include Thierry Henry, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Paolo Maldini and Robert Lewandowski. Lewandowski was widely seen as the favourite in 2020, the year the award was cancelled because of the pandemic. Many of these players finished on the podium without ever taking first place.
Ballon d’Or and the World Cup
In World Cup years, a strong tournament often decides the award. Paolo Rossi (1982), Zinedine Zidane (1998), Ronaldo (2002), Fabio Cannavaro (2006), Luka Modrić (2018) and Lionel Messi (2023, after the 2022 World Cup) all won after starring at a World Cup. In 2026, however, the award went to Harry Kane rather than a Spanish World Cup winner, although Spain collected the coach, goalkeeper and young player awards.
Ballon d’Or vs FIFA The Best
The Ballon d’Or is not the only player of the year award. FIFA presents its own prize, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, which replaced the joint FIFA Ballon d’Or after the two awards separated in 2016.
| Ballon d’Or | The Best FIFA Men’s Player | |
|---|---|---|
| Organiser | France Football (with UEFA since 2024) | FIFA |
| First awarded | 1956 | 2016 (in its current form) |
| Voters | International panel of journalists | National team coaches, captains, journalists and fans |
| Period covered | European season (since 2022) | Set period chosen by FIFA |
The two awards often go to the same player, but not always, because different voters can weigh club and international success differently. For many fans and players, the Ballon d’Or is still seen as the more prestigious of the two because of its long history.
FAQs about the Ballon d’Or
Who won the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Harry Kane of England and Bayern Munich won the 2026 Ballon d’Or at the London Palladium on 26 October 2026, ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or Féminin.
Who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
Ousmane Dembélé of France and Paris Saint-Germain won the 2025 Ballon d’Or with 1,380 points, ahead of Lamine Yamal and Vitinha. Aitana Bonmatí won the women’s award for the third year in a row.
Who has won the most Ballon d’Or awards?
Lionel Messi has won the most, with eight: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. Cristiano Ronaldo is second with five.
How many Ballon d’Ors does Cristiano Ronaldo have?
Cristiano Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Ors: in 2008 with Manchester United and in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 with Real Madrid.
Was the Ballon d’Or awarded in 2020?
No. France Football cancelled the 2020 Ballon d’Or because the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the football season.
Has a goalkeeper ever won the Ballon d’Or?
Yes, but only once. Lev Yashin of the Soviet Union won in 1963.
Who was the first Ballon d’Or winner?
Stanley Matthews of England and Blackpool won the first Ballon d’Or in 1956, at the age of 41.
Who decides the Ballon d’Or?
A panel of journalists votes for the winner. Since 2022, the panel has included journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA men’s world ranking, and the award covers a full European season.
Which club has the most Ballon d’Or winners?
Real Madrid and Barcelona are level with 12 winners each, followed by Juventus and AC Milan with eight each.
Has an English player won the Ballon d’Or?
Yes. Five English players have won it: Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979), Michael Owen (2001) and Harry Kane (2026).
Who won the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2026?
Alexia Putellas of Spain and Barcelona won the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin, her third win after 2021 and 2022.
When is the next Ballon d’Or?
The Ballon d’Or is presented every autumn. The 2027 award, covering the 2026–27 season, is expected in late 2027.
