The Ballon d’Or remains one of football’s most prestigious individual honours, recognising players whose performances have distinguished them over the course of a season. Since its introduction in 1956, the award has celebrated generations of football greats, from Stanley Matthews to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and other celebrated names.

The award was established by French magazine France Football to recognise the outstanding European footballer of the year. Its eligibility rules have since expanded, allowing players from across the world to compete for the honour regardless of nationality or the league in which they play.

England’s Stanley Matthews became the first recipient in 1956. His achievement began a tradition that would see the award become a major reference point in discussions about individual excellence in the sport.

Over the decades, several players have won the Ballon d’Or more than once, reflecting their sustained influence on the game. Among them is Argentine forward Lionel Messi, who holds the record with eight victories. His awards came in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award five times, in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. His achievements, particularly during his spells with Manchester United and Real Madrid, have made him one of the defining players of his generation.

French midfielder Michel Platini also occupies a prominent place in the award’s history. He won three consecutive Ballon d’Or titles from 1983 to 1985, becoming one of the few players to achieve such a run.

Dutch football legends Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten also won the award three times each. Cruyff was recognised in 1971, 1973 and 1974, while Van Basten claimed the honour in 1988, 1989 and 1992.

Africa has also produced a Ballon d’Or winner. Liberia’s George Weah won in 1995, becoming the first African player to receive the men’s award. His victory was a landmark moment for African football and demonstrated the growing recognition of talent from the continent.

The award has also reflected changing circumstances in the sport. In 2020, the Ballon d’Or was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first time since its introduction that no winner was selected.

In subsequent years, the award continued to recognise players whose performances stood out at club and international levels. Karim Benzema won in 2022, followed by Messi in 2023. Spanish midfielder Rodri received the honour in 2024, while France’s Ousmane Dembélé won in 2025.

The 2026 award cycle has continued the tradition of celebrating individual achievement in football, although the winner and final records should be confirmed against the official Ballon d’Or announcement.

The history of the award illustrates how football has evolved across different eras, with players from various countries and playing positions leaving their mark. While debates about the winner often generate strong reactions among supporters, the Ballon d’Or remains an important part of the sport’s individual honours.