Paris has opened a public vote around the Ballon d’Or’s long memory, placing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the centre of a 10-man selection for the greatest winner in the award’s history.
The initiative marks 70 years of the prize and is restricted to footballers who have lifted the Ballon d’Or at least twice. Supporters can choose the edition they consider the finest, from Alfredo Di Stéfano’s first success in 1957 through to Messi’s most recent triumph in 2023.
Quick facts
- Ten former Ballon d’Or winners are included in the vote.
- Only players with two or more awards are eligible.
- Messi leads the all-time list with eight Ballon d’Or trophies.
- Ronaldo won the prize five times during his career.
- A vote costs €1 and includes access to an iconic downloadable photograph.
Messi’s eight victories came in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. The Argentine remains the most decorated player in the history of the individual honour.
Ronaldo is among the leading challengers after winning in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. His five awards place him in an elite group drawn from different eras of European and world football.
The remaining nominees are Alfredo Di Stéfano, Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Michel Platini, Ronaldo, Kevin Keegan and Franz Beckenbauer.
Fans can take part through the Ballon d’Or voting page, ballondor.com/vote, where the list displays the winners and the relevant years. The process asks users to select their preferred Ballon d’Or edition and complete payment.
The €1 charge is presented as giving voters two benefits: the chance to back their chosen all-time winner and the ability to download an iconic image connected to the award.
