Ronaldo Leads Messi As Player With Most UEFA Men’s POTY As Ballon d’Or Merges With Top UEFA Award

UEFA has unveiled plans to collaborate in co-organizing the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2024 while also introducing a novel award recognizing the best men’s and women’s coaches.

The renowned accolade, traditionally bestowed annually upon the finest male and female footballers globally, was previously administered by France Football.

However, in a strategic move, Groupe Amaury, the proprietor of France Football, has agreed to forge a partnership with the European football governing body beginning next year, per Eurosport.

UEFA merges with Ballon d'Or

The most recent edition of the Ballon d'Or, which was hosted in Paris on Monday, witnessed the crowning of two World Cup champions as the recipients of the coveted awards: Lionel Messi secured the men's accolade for the eighth time, while Aitana Bonmatí claimed her inaugural women's title.

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

Football

Under this collaboration, UEFA will discontinue its own Player of the Year awards, which are typically distributed in August.

Nevertheless, UEFA will continue the tradition of presenting a Player of the Season award for each of its esteemed club competitions, including the Champions League and Europa League.

Players with the most UEFA Best Awards

On the back of this development, Sports Brief takes a look at the most successful recipients of the UEFA Men's Player of the Year prize.

Erling Haaland - 1

The Norwegian goal-scoring sensation will be the final recipient of the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award, following the UEFA and Ballon d'Or merger, after his remarkable displays during the 2022-2023 season.

His instrumental role in leading Manchester City to the coveted Champions League triumph, consequently securing a historic treble, cemented his claim to the award.

Moreover, the 23-year-old netted an impressive 52 goals in 53 matches, surpassing competition from the likes of Lionel Messi and his teammate Kevin De Bruyne to clinch the prestigious accolade.

Karim Benzema - 1

Benzema rightfully earned the UEFA Player of the Year award in 2022 due to his exceptional performances, prevailing over competitors such as his Real Madrid teammate, Thibaut Courtois, and Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne.

According to One Football, the 35-year-old spearheaded Real Madrid's triumphant campaign in the Champions League, recording 15 goals and two assists in 12 appearances.

Additionally, his instrumental role in leading Los Blancos to the La Liga title, contributing 27 goals and 12 assists, further solidified his claim as the top scorer in the league. Moreover, his reinstatement into the French squad by coach Didier Deschamps proved fruitful as he contributed significantly to Les Bleus' victory in the Nations League.

Jorginho - 1

Jorginho emerged victorious over his former Chelsea teammate N'Golo Kante and Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne to claim the top award, as noted by the BBC.

With an impressive record of 56 appearances for club and country last season, he scored nine goals and played a crucial role in securing the Champions League with Chelsea and the European Championship with Italy.

Robert Lewandowski - 1

Formerly with Bayern Munich and currently playing for Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski was awarded the UEFA Men's Player of the Year for the 2019/20 season.

The Polish international surpassed contenders such as Manchester City midfielder, Kevin de Bruyne and Bayern teammate, Manuel Neuer to clinch the prestigious title.

Virgil van Dijk - 1

Virgil van Dijk secured a historic milestone as the first defender, the first Premier League player, and the first Dutchman to claim the esteemed UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award in 2019, as cited by Forbes.

Defeating other notable nominees, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Liverpool and Netherlands centre-back solidified his place in the history of the awards.

Luka Modric - 1

Luka Modric, the Real Madrid midfield maestro, was honoured with the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award five years ago, recognizing his significant contributions to Los Blancos' successful pursuit of a third consecutive Champions League title.

Formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, Modric surpassed competitors Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the prestigious accolade.

Franck Ribery - 1

Ribery concluded a remarkable 2012/13 season by receiving the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

The French winger was selected over Lionel Messi, who was Barcelona at the time, and Cristiano Ronaldo. through a live vote conducted by journalists.

Andres Iniesta - 1

The 2010 World Cup winner secured the title of the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for the 2011/12 season.

Iniesta garnered a total of nineteen votes, surpassing his then teammate Messi, as well as Real Madrid's all-time top scorer Ronaldo, who both received seventeen votes each, landing them in a shared second place.

Lionel Messi - 2

Lionel Messi's unparalleled football career has left virtually no major global award unclaimed. The Argentine icon has amassed an impressive collection of individual accolades and team trophies, establishing his dominance in the sport.

Despite holding the record for the most Ballon d'Or titles, Messi concedes in this particular category to his long-standing rival Cristiano Ronaldo, securing a respectable two awards (2010/11 and 2014/15).

Cristiano Ronaldo - 3

While Messi dominates the Ballon d'Or Awards ahead of Ronaldo, the reverse is the case in the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards.

The Portuguese phenom completely dominates this prize, winning the award on three occasions - 2013/14, 2015/16, and 2016/17, more than any other player. He is the only footballer to win it twice in a row.