At the event scheduled for today (17 October) at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner will be revealed. France Football, a French news publication, presents the prize to the football player who had the greatest season overall performance.
Without a doubt, the Ballon d'Or is the most coveted individual award in football. A combination of votes from media representatives, captains of the national teams, and coaches determines the Ballon d'Or winner.
The Ballon d'Or was solely given to European players prior to 1995. Later, it was broadened to accommodate athletes from all over the world who were competing for European clubs. Its scope was then widened in 2007 to incorporate footballers from all around the world.
Without further ado, let's look at the top five footballers in terms of Ballon d'Or victories.
#5 Marco van Basten - 3 Ballon d'Or wins
One of the sport's deadliest strikers in history is Marco van Basten. He was outstanding for Ajax and AC Milan, the two teams he played for during his very brief career, as well as the Dutch national team.
He won the Ballon d'Or three times and was voted sixth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll. In 1988, after guiding the Netherlands national team to victory at the Euros, Van Basten received his first Ballon d'Or award. He also finished with the most goals in the competition and took home the Golden Boot.
In 1989, Van Basten won the Ballon d'Or for a second time in a row after leading AC Milan to the European Cup victory. In 1992, he would take home the prize once more.
#4 Michel Platini - 3 Ballon d'Or wins
One of the most significant individuals in French football history is Le Roi' (The King), Michel Platini. He was a key contributor to France becoming a world superpower in soccer. The little playmaker built a career out of saving the day for his club and nation when it counted the most.
The 1984 European Championship was won by Les Bleus under his leadership. In the early 1980s, Platini was without a doubt the finest football player in the world. Three years in a row, he was the Ballon d'Or winner (1983, 1984 and 1985).
During that time, Platini solidified his position as an all-time great and motivated a new generation of playmakers.Platini was lauded as a hero by Zinedine Zidane, who is regarded as one of the best players of all time.
#3 Johan Cruyff - 3 Ballon d'Or wins
In addition to being one of the all-time great football players, the Dutch wizard Johan Cruyff is also recognized with modernizing the game. He was a pioneer, had a fantastic playing and managerial career, and promoted the "total football" ideology.
Cruyff made his name at Ajax, where he had two spells and won the league championship eight times. With the Dutch team, he also won the European Cup three times. Cruyff accepted a transfer to Barcelona in 1973, and during his first year with the Catalans, he won the La Liga championship.
In 1999, he received the European Player of the Century award. Cruyff has three times won the Ballon d'Or, in the years 1971, 1973, and 1974.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo - 5 Ballon d'Or wins
Possibly the best goal scorer in the history of the beautiful game is Cristiano Ronaldo. With 117 goals to his name, the legendary Portuguese player holds the top scoring position in men's international football. At the age of 37, he has had a very successful career and is still going strong.
Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times in his professional career, a record. He is one of the sport's all-time most talented attackers. After beginning as a winger, Ronaldo gradually changed into an inside forward before becoming a center-forward.
He stands out for his lightning-quick reflexes, cunning, long range shooting, vision, athleticism, and determination.
#1 Lionel Messi - 7 Ballon d'Or wins
Possibly the best footballer of all time is Lionel Messi. His Ballon d'Or accomplishments imply the same. The Argentine icon has a lifetime total of seven Ballon d'Or victories, which is a record. Over the previous 15 years, he has dominated football and shared the Ballon d'Or with his bitter rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi's smooth dribbling, burst of speed, and superior technical ability made him unbeatable in his heyday. Messi is one of the most technically brilliant football players in the history of the sport and a graduate of Barcelona's renowned youth program "La Masia."
In 2009, he took home his first Ballon d'Or. Since then, Messi has won it six times: in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.