A list of players who won the UEFA Player of the Year Award and the Ballon d'Or award in the same year

There are many outstanding talents in soccer, and the best performers each season are granted trophies to celebrate them. The UEFA Player of the year and Ballon d'Or awards are some of the most coveted awards given to the top footballers for their contribution to their clubs and countries.

The UEFA Player of the year and Ballon d'Or awards have been given to several stars over time, but only a lucky handful have been bestowed the two honors in the same year. These players are recognized as some of the greatest footballers of their eras.

UEFA player of the year and Ballon d'Or awards

The UEFA Player of the year was formerly known as UEFA Club Footballer between 1998 and 2010, then as UEFA Best Player in Europe between 2011 and 2016. It is given to the best footballer in Europe each season by UEFA, and sponsored by European Sports Media.

The Ballon d'Or has been presented by the French news magazine France Football, since 1956, to the most outstanding talents at European clubs. A temporary merger with FIFA World Player of the year from 2010 to 2015 birthed the FIFA Ballon d'Or. In 2022, for the first time in history, the award was given according to the calendar year performance instead of the season.

Players who have won both awards in the same year

The athletes who have been given both trophies in the same year have proved to pundits and fans that they are worth the accolades. They are celebrated all over the world, and football newbies and fans of football emulate them.

Zinedine Zidane

Not many individuals can boast of being successful players and managers like the Frenchman. The former Real Madrid manager was an impressive talent during his time, receiving many individual accolades, including winning the 1998 Ballon d'Or and UEFA Club Footballer of the year trophies. As a coach, Zidane was named the Best FIFA Men's Coach in 2017.

Ronaldo

The late 90s and early 2000s were the peak era for Brazilian icons like Ronaldo Nazário. In 1997, the multitalented striker became the youngest recipient of the Ballon d'Or at 21 while playing at Inter Milan. In 2002, while at Real Madrid, he won both trophies. His professional career ended in 2011 when he retired and transitioned to owning several football clubs.

Ronaldinho

Another Brazilian star who shone at the turn of the century was Ronaldinho. In 2005, he won both honors while playing for Barcelona. The icon, known for his creativity and accuracy, won several prizes during his prime but lost focus after suffering injuries, ultimately leading to his retirement in 2018.

Kaka

Ricardo Kaká was one of the playmakers at Serie A club AC Milan during his prime. After a successful 2006-07 season, he was granted both trophies in December 2007. A series of injuries led to a decline in the Brazilian's performance and ended in his retirement in 2017.

Lionel Messi

The Argentine midfielder became a household name since his senior club debut with Barcelona in 2004. He first won both accolades when he was 22 and later won seven Ballon d'Or trophies and three UEFA Player of the year trophies. He bagged both trophies in 2009, 2011, and 2015, making him arguably the best footballer of this generation.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Manchester United forward contends for the top spot with his PSG rival Messi. Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or and three UEFA Player of the year awards. He won both trophies in 2014, 2016, and 2017 while playing for the La Liga club Real Madrid.

In a two-decade-long career, the Portuguese star has made a name for himself as one of the best athletes of his generation for his stellar performances in domestic, international, and club matches. He is the only footballer to have won the UEFA Player of the year twice in a row.

Luka Modric

The Real Madrid midfielder is regarded as the best Croatian footballer, as he was the first of his countrymen to be named the UEFA Player of the year. In 2018 he won both trophies and broke the decade-old monotony of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo winning the trophies.

Karim Benzema

The most recent winner of both accolades is the French striker for Real Madrid in October 2022. After spending a big part of his career in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, the latter's departure gave him a chance to show off his skill set, and he won La Liga Best Player thrice in 2020, 2021, and 2022. He also boasts many other individual and club honors in Madrid since 2009.

Who has won the most player of the year awards?

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the UEFA Player of the year three times, the most won by anyone globally. He has been placed second twice and third four times. Messi follows closely with two wins and four times being runner-up.

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Which player has won the most Ballon d'Or awards?

Lionel Messi is the record holder for the most Ballon d'Or trophies won, with seven trophies since 2009. He has also come in second place five times and third place once. Cristiano Ronaldo is the runner-up with five trophies. He has been placed second six times and third once since his first win in 2008.

Who has won the Ballon d'Or twice?

Several stars have been given this prize twice, including Ronaldo, Franz Beckenbauer, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Alfredo di Stéfano, and Kevin Keegan. Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, and Michel Platini have won the trophy thrice.

Which player won this year's Ballon d'Or?

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid is the current winner. Unlike earlier, France Football granted the trophy based on his 2022, not the 2021-22 season performance. Before this win, Benzema had been nominated twelve times earlier.

Which club has the most Ballon d'Or winners?

Spanish La Liga has the most Ballon d'Or winners, with Barcelona and Real Madrid having the most winners since 1995. Both teams have won the trophy twelve times, with eight footballers from Madrid and six from Barca.

The Madrid winners are Alfredo di Stefano, Raymond Kopa, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema.

Who has the most FIFA Player of the year awards?

FIFA presented this tribute from 1991 to 2015. Ronaldo Nazario won the award in 1996, 1997, and 2002; Zinedine Zidane won it in 1998, 2000, and 2003. The three wins by these icons are the most won by anyone. Robert Lewandowski is the current holder of the prize, the second of his career.

Players who won the UEFA player of the year award and the Ballon d'Or award in the same year are legacies in the football world. With the recent modification in the Ballon d'Or rules, more stars will likely make it.

Sportsbrief.com published an article about the UEFA men's player of the year award. It is a prestigious recognition for the best male footballer playing for a European club.

The prize recognizes footballers with extraordinary performances for their clubs and countries each season. Although football has produced many great athletes, just a few have lifted the trophy. Click on the above link to read more!