Another edition of the Ballon d'Or is fast approaching, and anticipation is at fever pitch ahead of the ceremony on 26 October.

As with every season, the footballing world is focusing its attention on the gala that will recognise the year’s most outstanding individual performances.

Winning this award is a definitive milestone in a footballer’s career.

However, repeating this feat demands a level of consistency that very few have managed to maintain over time.

In the run-up to the latest ceremony, the question remains: will someone add another ‘Ballon d'Or’ to their personal trophy cabinet, or will a new name carve out their own path?

Below, we take a look at the legends who have won the award on more than one occasion.

Players with more than one Ballon d'Or

  • Lionel Messi: 8 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)

  • Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)

  • Michel Platini: 3 (1983, 1984, 1985)

  • Johan Cruyff: 3 (1971, 1973, 1974)

  • Marco van Basten: 3 (1988, 1989, 1992)

  • Franz Beckenbauer: 2 (1972, 1976)

  • Ronaldo Nazário: 2 (1997, 2002)

  • Alfredo Di Stéfano: 2 (1957, 1959)

  • Kevin Keegan: 2 (1978, 1979)

  • Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: 2 (1980, 1981)

Just ten names feature in this select group across nearly seven decades of history.

It’s clear that winning more than one ‘Ballon d'Or’ is no mean feat, but it’s not impossible…

The ceremony on 26 October will reveal whether the list of multiple winners will grow by one or whether the trophy will go to a new champion.

Who will win the 2026 Ballon d'Or?