Which Countries and Players Have Won the Most Ballon d'Or Awards
Theo Al Jazeera
Argentina and France share the record for the most Ballon d'Or wins with eight each, ahead of Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands on seven. Messi accounts for all eight Argentine awards, while Ronaldo has five to his name.
With less than a week to go before the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, fans are asking who will take home the men's award.
Among this year's contenders are Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and young talent Lamine Yamal. But the famously unpredictable prize could still deliver a surprise.
According to the organisers, voting is based on three criteria, in order of importance:
- Individual performances that are decisive and impressive
- Team achievements and titles won
- Class and fair play
Candidates are judged on performances between 3 August 2025 and 19 July 2026, the date of this year's World Cup final.
The 30-man shortlist includes three former winners: Lionel Messi (eight times), Ousmane Dembélé (the reigning holder) and Rodri (2024).
Since the men's award was created in 1956, the countries with the most Ballon d'Or winners are as follows:
Argentina — 8
All eight of Argentina's awards belong to Lionel Messi, one of the greatest legends of world football. In August, Messi announced his retirement from international football after helping his country to the World Cup final, where they finished runners-up, and winning the MLS title with Inter Miami.
Now 39, Messi has won the Ballon d'Or eight times: in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
France — 8
Ousmane Dembélé, last year's winner, lifted France's total to a record-equalling eight, spread across six players from different generations.
Some of his teammates who helped France finish fourth at the World Cup are also on the shortlist: Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.
France's former winners are:
- Raymond Kopa (1958)
- Michel Platini (1983, 1984, 1985)
- Jean-Pierre Papin (1991)
- Zinedine Zidane (1998)
- Karim Benzema (2022)
- Ousmane Dembélé (2025)
Portugal — 7
Portugal's seven awards come from three players: Eusébio (1965), Luís Figo (2000) and Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
Unlike Messi, however, Ronaldo has missed the shortlist for a fourth consecutive year. The teammates who could deliver Portugal's eighth award are Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, João Neves and Vitinha.
Germany — 7
The last German player to win the Ballon d'Or was Matthias Sammer in 1996. This year, no German player made the shortlist.
Germany's former winners are:
- Gerd Müller (1970)
- Franz Beckenbauer (1972, 1976)
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1980, 1981)
- Lothar Matthäus (1990)
- Matthias Sammer (1996)
Netherlands — 7
Like Germany, the Netherlands have no players on this year's shortlist. Their seven awards belong to three players:
- Johan Cruyff (1971, 1973, 1974)
- Ruud Gullit (1987)
- Marco van Basten (1988, 1989, 1992)
Brazil — 5
The legendary Ronaldo was the first Brazilian to win the Ballon d'Or, in 1997, and the country has added four more since:
- Ronaldo (1997, 2002)
- Rivaldo (1999)
- Ronaldinho (2005)
- Kaká (2007)
The Brazilians on the 2026 shortlist who could end a two-decade wait are Gabriel, Marquinhos and Vinícius Jr.
England — 5
With the ceremony returning to England, hopes are rising for another Ballon d'Or, after Stanley Matthews won the first one in 1956.
Captain Harry Kane is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, scoring 73 goals for club and country and winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. He also helped England finish third at the World Cup. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham join him on the shortlist.
England's former winners are:
- Stanley Matthews (1956)
- Bobby Charlton (1966)
- Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979)
- Michael Owen (2001)
Italy — 5
Italy's five Ballon d'Or awards come from five different players, none of them in the past two decades:
- Omar Sivori (1961)
- Gianni Rivera (1969)
- Paolo Rossi (1982)
- Roberto Baggio (1993)
- Fabio Cannavaro (2006)
Spain — 4
Spain claimed several Ballon d'Or honours last year and are expected to repeat the feat after winning the World Cup.
Lamine Yamal, last year's Kopa Trophy winner, is on the shortlist alongside teammates Pau Cubarsí (World Cup best young player), Marc Cucurella, Rodri (World Cup Golden Ball), Fabián Ruiz and Ferran Torres.
Spain's former winners are:
- Alfredo Di Stéfano (1957, 1959)
- Luis Suárez (1960)
- Rodri (2024)
