Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri claimed the Ballon d’Or on the Chatelet Theater in Paris on Monday, October 28, beating outright favourite, Actual Madrid star Vinicius Junior, to the punch. It was a historic second for Spain as Rodri grew to become solely the third Spaniard in historical past to say the distinguished accolade since its inauguration in 1956. Actual Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano received it in 1957 and 1959 earlier than Barcelona icon Luis Suarez claimed the Golden Ball in 1960.
With 4 Ballon d’Or wins from three gamers, Spain is now the ninth-most profitable nation within the award’s historical past. Proceed studying to find the highest 5. Let’s start!
#5 Portugal: 7 Wins
In fifth place, we now have Portugal, with the nation securing seven Ballon d’Or awards from three winners since 1956. Cristiano Ronaldo is essentially the most profitable Portuguese participant, having received it a whopping 5 occasions.
Portugal icon Eusebio was the primary one to fly the Portuguese flag on the Ballon d’Or podium, successful the award as a Benfica participant in 1965. A whopping 35 years later, Luis Figo grew to become the second Portuguese participant to say the win. His Ballon d’Or-winning performances got here at Barcelona however he lifted the award as a Actual Madrid participant.
Then got here the period of Cristiano Ronaldo, as he bagged 5 Golden Balls throughout a blistering nine-year spell between 2008 and 2017. He received his first one at Manchester United (2008) and the opposite 4 as a Actual Madrid (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) participant.
#4 Netherlands: 7 Wins
The proud nation of the Netherlands is in fourth place with seven Ballon d’Or wins. The Oranje has seen three people safe essentially the most prestigious award in world soccer.
Ajax and Barcelona icon is essentially the most adorned Dutchman of all time, having received the Golden Ball thrice. He first received the award as an Ajax participant in 1971 and added two extra throughout his time with Barcelona (1973, 1974). Ruud Gullit received the following one in 1987 earlier than Marco van Basten added two extra to Nethelands’ tally, successful them at AC Milan in 1988 and 1989. Van Basten received himself on stage phrases with Cruyff in 1992, successful a 3rd Ballon d’Or as a Milan participant.
#3 Germany: 7 Wins
Residence to among the most interesting gamers in historical past, Germany has celebrated seven Ballon d’Or wins in historical past. 5 gamers have contributed to Die Mannschaft’s success.
The legendary Gerd Muller grew to become the primary German to win the Ballon d’Or in 1970. Two years later, the Emperor, Franz Beckenbauer, claimed his first Golden Ball earlier than doubling it in 1976. In 1980 and 1981, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge received the award earlier than Lothar Matthaus made it six wins in 1990. Borussia Dortmund legend Matthias Sammer was the final German to win the award, along with his maiden triumph coming in 1996.
#2 France: 7 Wins
France is the second-most profitable nation in Ballon d’Or historical past, with Les Bleus boasting seven wins from 5 winners through the years.
Actual Madrid legend Raymond Kopa was the primary Frenchman to win the award, with him snagging it in 1958. After a protracted wait, Michel Platini introduced the award again to the nation in 1983. The Juventus icon additionally managed to defend it within the subsequent two years. Jean-Pierre Papin was the following winner in 1991 earlier than Zinedine Zidane claimed it in 1998. Karim Benzema was the final French Ballon d’Or winner, with him lifting the trophy in 2022 following an explosive season with Actual Madrid.
#1 Argentina: 8 Wins
South American powerhouse Argentina has claimed the highest spot with eight Ballon d’Or awards, and La Albiceleste has just one man to thank for it. Lionel Messi is the one Argentine in historical past to win the Golden Ball, and he has executed so for a file eight occasions.
Simply 22 years outdated on the time, Messi received his first Ballon d’Or as a Barcelona participant in 2009. He defended his world-best title for the following three years, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo within the mud. After a two-year hiatus, Messi received it again in 2015 and secured his remaining one as a Barcelona participant in 2019. He received the 2021 Ballon d’Or as a Paris Saint-Germain participant and the 2023 award at Inter Miami, changing into the primary energetic MLS participant to say it.
