In the history of world football, the Ballon d’Or has always been the most prestigious individual award, coveted by every player. It not only honours outstanding talent in a year of competition but also etches their names into the grand narrative of the game.
From legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano and Johan Cruyff to the bright stars of the 21st century like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, each of them has left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans. In this article, let’s take a look with Carlos Vortex at the 5+ most exceptional players, those who have overcome every challenge to lay their hands on the Ballon d’Or trophy the most times in history, affirming their unshakeable status in global football.
Lionel Messi – 7 Times
Lionel Messi, the Argentinian maestro, holds the record with 7 Ballon d’Or awards. He won these prestigious accolades in the following years:
- 2009: Messi won his first Ballon d’Or after helping Barcelona achieve a treble, including La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.
- 2010: He continued his top form and won his second consecutive award.
- 2011: Messi once again stood at the pinnacle of the world, winning his third consecutive Ballon d’Or.
- 2012: He broke the record for most goals scored in a calendar year and won his fourth.
- 2015: Messi won his fifth Ballon d’Or after leading Barcelona to another treble.
- 2019: Despite Barcelona not winning the Champions League, Messi still displayed outstanding form throughout the year.
- 2021: He won his seventh Ballon d’Or after leading Argentina to win the Copa America, their first major title in many years.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5 Times
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar, has won 5 Ballon d’Or awards, and he has been Messi’s great rival throughout the past decade:
- 2008: Ronaldo won his first award after helping Manchester United win the Champions League.
- 2013: He returned to the top after an excellent season with Real Madrid, although the team did not win any major titles.
- 2014: Ronaldo repeated that feat after winning Real Madrid’s 10th Champions League title (La Décima).
- 2016: He had a memorable year, winning the Champions League and Euro 2016 with his national team.
- 2017: Ronaldo maintained his form and won his fifth Ballon d’Or after winning the Champions League again.
Michel Platini – 3 Times
Michel Platini, the French legend, was one of the leading players in world football during the 1980s:
- 1983: Platini began his glorious run at Juventus, winning his first Ballon d’Or.
- 1984: He led the French national team to victory at Euro 1984 and continued his Ballon d’Or streak.
- 1985: Platini won his third consecutive Ballon d’Or, a feat later surpassed only by Messi and Ronaldo.
Johan Cruyff – 3 Times
Johan Cruyff is one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he won the Ballon d’Or three times during his illustrious career. Here are the details of the years he won this prestigious award:
- 1971: Johan Cruyff won his first Ballon d’Or after a successful season with Ajax, where he helped the club win the European Cup (the predecessor to the UEFA Champions League).
- 1973: Cruyff continued to display outstanding form and won his second Ballon d’Or. He was renowned for his intelligent play, superb individual technique, and excellent reading of the game, helping Ajax successfully defend their European Cup title.
- 1974: Cruyff won his third Ballon d’Or after leading the Netherlands national team to the final of the 1974 World Cup. Although the Netherlands could not win the championship, Cruyff and the “Clockwork Orange” left a strong impression with their “Total Football” style, of which he was a key figure.
Marco van Basten – 3 Times
Marco van Basten, the former Dutch striker, is one of the greatest footballers and also a three-time winner of the Ballon d’Or. Here are the details of the years he won this prestigious award:
- 1988: Van Basten won his first Ballon d’Or after a successful season with AC Milan and an impressive performance at Euro 1988, where he helped the Netherlands win the championship, marking the first time the national team had won a major title.
- 1989: He continued his high level of performance and won his second consecutive Ballon d’Or thanks to his outstanding displays for AC Milan, helping the club win the Serie A title and the European Cup.
- 1992: Van Basten won his third Ballon d’Or after an extremely successful season with AC Milan, even though he struggled with injuries for much of the season. This was also the last year he played before injuries forced him into early retirement.
This list is a testament to the excellence not only through individual matches but also through entire seasons of these great footballers. Each individual has written glorious pages in the history of the king of sports with their talent, passion, and relentless determination. The Ballon d’Or is not just a reward for individual efforts but also a symbol of greatness in football history, where only the most exceptional can reach it. These players are not just bright stars in the football sky but also an inspiration to millions of fans and future generations of players around the world.
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Carlos Vortex is a seasoned expert with over five years of extensive experience in the online betting game industry, hailing from Malta. With a passion for researching methods to optimize the gaming experience, he has shared valuable advice on games such as slots, poker, blackjack, and sports betting with a wide community of players. Thanks to his in-depth knowledge of the digital entertainment field, Carlos delivers high-quality articles that help users enhance their experience on the Vvjl Casino platform. He consistently stays updated on current trends to provide accurate and useful information to his readers.
Personal Information:
Nationality: United Kingdom
Year of Birth: 1990
Current Affiliation: Vvjl Casino – One of the leading reputable online betting game development and operation platforms in Southeast Asia
Outstanding Education:
2008 – 2012: Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Marketing from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
2013 – 2014: Completed advanced certifications in User Behavior Analysis and Risk Management at the International iGaming Research Institute, Malta.
2021: Participated in an advanced training program on Betting Regulatory Compliance certified by the UK Training & Compliance Organization.
Work and Research Experience:
2015 – 2019: Held the position of Strategic Analyst at a betting game application development company in London.
2020 – 2022: Worked as a freelance consultant, focusing on methods to enhance user experience for various betting systems in Asia.
2023 – Present: Holds the position of Senior Content Editor at Vvjl Casino, responsible for developing and evaluating gaming strategies, ensuring user information security, and drafting responsible gambling guidelines.
Areas of Deep Expertise:
Skill in building strategies and optimization for games such as slot machines, poker, and blackjack.
Managing the quality of customer experience on online betting platforms.
In-depth research on user behavior and trends in the digital entertainment industry in Southeast Asia.
Teaching and Knowledge Sharing Experience:
Served as a speaker at the ASEAN Online Betting Conference in 2022, with the topic “Breakthroughs in User Experience in Potential Markets.”
Author of over one hundred in-depth analysis articles published on reputable card game news sites and blogs such as Vvjl Blog, iGaming Hub, and GamblingAsia.com.
Participated in internal training programs at Jilipark Casino on “Game Development and Player Retention Strategies.”
Content Orientation and Professional Responsibility: Carlos Vortex not only brings practical applied knowledge to players but also always ensures that the information provided is transparent, objective, and strictly adheres to responsible gambling regulations. His articles aim to enhance the user experience while providing a realistic view of potential risks and safe betting methods.