In the run-up to the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, it is worth taking a moment to look back at who has lifted the trophy over the last 20 years.

These have been two decades unlike any other in the history of the award, as they were indelibly marked by a phenomenon never before seen in previous eras.

We are referring to the almost absolute dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who monopolised the award for more than ten years and redefined the standards of excellence in global football.

Between them, they shared a total of 13 Ballons d’Or – no more and no less. The Argentine won it eight times, whilst the Portuguese came out on top on five occasions.

Below, we review the full list of winners year by year, from 2005 to 2025:

Ballon d'Or winners from 2005 to 2025

  • 2005: Ronaldinho

  • 2006: Fabio Cannavaro

  • 2007: Kaká

  • 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo

  • 2009: Lionel Messi

  • 2010: Lionel Messi

  • 2011: Lionel Messi

  • 2012: Lionel Messi

  • 2013: Cristiano Ronaldo

  • 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo

  • 2015: Lionel Messi

  • 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo

  • 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo

  • 2018: Luka Modrić

  • 2019: Lionel Messi

  • 2020: NoneBallon d'Or

  • 2021: Lionel Messi

  • 2022: Karim Benzema

  • 2023: Lionel Messi

  • 2024: Rodri

  • 2025: Ousmane Dembélé

With the history of the last two decades on the table, the big question once again hangs over this year’s ceremony...

Who will be crowned the winner of the 2026 ‘Ballon d'Or’?

Is world football on the cusp of a new era of dominance, similar to that enjoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

Or will we enter a period of constant change at the very top?

The answer will be revealed on 26 October in London.