Which countries and players have won the most Ballon d’Or awards?

With the 2026 Ballon d’Or winners due to be announced in less than a week, the 30-player shortlist includes former winners Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele and Rodri. The award is judged primarily on individual performances, followed by team achievements and fair play, for performances between August 3, 2025, and July 19, 2026. Argentina has won eight awards, all through Messi, who holds the record with eight victories from 2009 to 2019. Aged 39, Messi announced his international retirement in August after leading Argentina to a World Cup runners-up finish and winning the MLS title with Inter Miami.