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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Ballon d'Or

The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by France Football to honour the best-performing players in world football.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by France Football to honour the best-performing players in world football. It has been awarded since 1956, with a men's prize and, since 2018, a women's prize. Lionel Messi holds the record for the most men's Ballon d'Or wins, and Ousmane Dembélé is the current men's holder after winning in 2025.

History

The Ballon d'Or was introduced by France Football in 1956 and first awarded to Stanley Matthews. It has become a major annual honour in world football, with a women's version added in 2018.

Format and selection

The award is decided through voting by journalists, with the exact voting rules set by the organisers. The criteria focus on individual performance, team achievements, and fair play considerations.

Notable winners

Lionel Messi has won the men's award eight times, more than any other player. Cristiano Ronaldo is the next most successful men's winner with five titles, while Aitana Bonmatí leads the women's award with three.

Records and milestones

Stanley Matthews was the first winner, and Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have won the men's award. The award was not presented in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key facts

  • The Ballon d'Or is one of football's most prestigious individual awards.
  • It has been awarded annually since 1956, except in 2020 when it was not presented.
  • The men's award is currently held by Ousmane Dembélé, who won the 2025 edition.
  • Lionel Messi has won the men's award a record eight times.
  • The women's Ballon d'Or Féminin has been awarded since 2018.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know the award through international football coverage and Canadian media reports on global stars and major football ceremonies. Canada does not have a long Ballon d'Or tradition, but Canadian audiences follow it as a leading global sports award.

Frequently asked questions

Who has won the most Ballon d'Or?
Lionel Messi has won the men's Ballon d'Or the most, with eight titles.
Who won Ballon d'Or 2023?
Lionel Messi won the 2023 men's Ballon d'Or.
What is Ballon d'Or?
The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by France Football to the sport's best players.
When is Ballon d'Or awarded?
It is awarded annually, usually at a ceremony later in the calendar year.
How is Ballon d'Or decided?
It is decided by a voting process conducted by journalists, based on player performance and achievements under the organisers' criteria.
Who is the youngest Ballon d'Or winner?
Ronaldo Nazário is generally cited as the youngest men's Ballon d'Or winner, at age 21.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d'Or
    Supports: Record winners, 2025 men's winner, first award year, and general award history
  2. UEFA — https://www.uefa.com/ballondor/news/0287-195e642735da-0594342b9554-1000--history-of-the-ballon-d-or-all-the-winners/
    Supports: Annual nature, 1956 origin, winners list, and women's award history
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Ballon-d-Or-Winners
    Supports: First winner, all-time record wins, and historical notes
  4. Olympics.com — https://www.olympics.com/en/news/ballon-d-or-winners-messi-ronaldo-zidane-complete-list
    Supports: Record wins, first men's and women's winners, and 2020 non-award
  5. Sports Illustrated — https://www.si.com/soccer/ballon-dor-all-time-most-wins
    Supports: 2023 winner, most wins, and historical winners list
  6. NBC Sports — https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/who-has-won-the-most-ballon-dor-awards-all-time-winners
    Supports: Most men's wins and 2023 winner