Messi Singlehandedly Gives Argentina Record for Most Ballon d’Or Titles from a Country With 8th Win

• Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or title in Paris on Monday night
• Argentina now hold the record for the most Ballon d’Or titles from a country
• Four countries are tied in second place with seven Ballon d’Or titles each

Lionel Messi is Argentina’s pride.

He put his country on the map again on Monday night, winning his eighth Ballon d’Or title.

Sports Brief looks at the nations with the most Ballon d’Or awards following Messi’s latest triumph.

Most Ballon d'Or Titles from a country

Argentina (8)

Lionel Messi keeps adding to his legend. He won his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or title, capturing the award after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year, per Eurosport.

With Messi taking home the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023, Argentina now hold the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins from a country with eight.

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Messi’s brilliance helped Argentina surpass Portugal, Germany, France, and the Netherlands on the list.

Portugal (7)

Portugal are tied for second with seven Ballon d’Or titles. Three players contributed to that tally, the majority of which came from Al-Nassr star, Cristiano Ronaldo.

He won five Ballon d’Or titles in his illustrious career. The Portuguese star captured the award in 2008 with Manchester United and in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 with Real Madrid.

Eusebio was the first Portuguese player to win the Ballon d’Or, taking home the title in 1965.

Luis Figo became Portugal’s second Ballon d’Or winner, nabbing the top prize in 2000 as a member of Real Madrid.

Germany (7)

Seven Ballon d’Or titles have been awarded to Germans since the individual prize was established in 1956.

Gerd Muller was the first German player to win the Ballon d’Or, capturing the award in 1970 as a member of Bayern Munich.

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Franz Beckenbauer became Germany’s second Ballon d’Or winner, nabbing the top prize in 1972. He won another Ballon d’Or title in 1976, giving Germany their third award.

Karl Heinz-Rummenigge won back-to-back Ballon d’Or titles in 1980 and 1981 to hand Germany their fourth and fifth awards.

Lothar Matthaus handed Germany their sixth Ballon d’Or with his win in 1992.

Germany’s last Ballon d’Or winner was Matthias Sammer, who won the award in 1996.

France (7)

France are tied for second place with seven Ballon d’Or titles, with five players contributing to that tally.

Raymond Kopa was the first Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or, capturing the award in 1958.

Michel Platini won three consecutive Ballon d’Or titles in 1983, 1984, and 1985 to hand France their second, third, and fourth awards.

Marseille’s Jean-Pierre Papin gave France their fifth Ballon d’Or with his win in 1991.

Zinedine Zidane won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 after leading France to the World Cup title that year.

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France’s last Ballon d’Or winner was Karim Benzema, who won the award last year.

Netherlands (7)

Johan Cruyff was the first Dutchman to win the Ballon d’Or, capturing the award in 1971, 1973, and 1974.

Milan’s Ruud Gullit gave the Netherlands their fourth Ballon d’Or with his win in 1987.

Marco van Basten kept the award in the Netherlands’ possession, winning back-to-back Ballon d’Or titles in 1988 and 1989.

Van Basten added another Ballon d’Or in 1992, making him the last Dutch player to win the award.

Messi and Bonmati share heartwarming moment

Sports Brief recently reported on Messi and Aitana Bonmati sharing a heartwarming moment after the ceremony.

The Ballon d'Or winners congratulated each other before posing for cameras.

Messi and Bonmati led their respective countries to victory in the World Cup.