Messi Ballon d'Or wins: Ranking all of Messi’s Ballon d’Or victories

The illustrious journey, marked by a record number of Messi Ballon d’Or wins, stands as a testament to his dominance in the world of football. Each victory in this prestigious award category is not just a feather in his cap but a chapter in the story of a football legend.

As we navigate through the years of Messi’s unparalleled success, we uncover the milestones that have defined his career. These moments of glory highlight his individual brilliance and his contribution to redefining the beautiful game on a global scale.

How many Ballon d’Or trophies does Messi have?

As of 2023, Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times. His first win came in 2009, followed by consecutive wins in 2010, 2011, and 2012. After a gap, he won again in 2015 and later in 2019 and 2021. His most recent Ballon d’Or victory was in 2023, further solidifying his status as one of football’s greatest players.

Each of these victories marks a year of exceptional football and tells a story of his evolving career and the sport itself. Here is a look at each of Messi’s Ballon d’Or victories, ranking them from his first to the most recent.

2009

At just 22 years old, Messi clinched his first Ballon d’Or win in 2009, signalling the rise of a new footballing superstar. He triumphed with a then-record margin, securing 473 points, far ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

This victory was a testament to his incredible year with Barcelona, marked by his phenomenal performance as the Catalan club won the Champions League, the Spanish title, and the Copa del Rey. The award, presented by France Football, came without much controversy, highlighting Messi’s undisputed brilliance.

2010

2010 was a milestone year, as FIFA merged its World Player of the Year award with France Football’s Ballon d’Or. Messi, then 23, won this inaugural FIFA Ballon d’Or, making it his second consecutive win. His outstanding vote share reflected his dominance.

Beating teammates Xavi and Iniesta, his win was attributed to his astounding form for Barcelona, despite the team not winning the Champions League. La Masia, the FC Barcelona academy, achieved a record-breaking honour in becoming the first youth academy ever to have all three finalists for the Ballon d’Or in one same year, with Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Xavi.

2011

In 2011, Messi, aged 24, won his third Ballon d’Or, a feat only paralleled by Michel Platini. Despite Barcelona’s rocky international performance, Messi’s individual brilliance, marked by his significant role in the Champions League and La Liga victories, was undeniable.

He won with 47.88% of the votes, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi completed the podium. This win sparked debates about Ronaldo’s comparable achievements that year.

In 2011, Cristiano Ronaldo had an impressive season with Real Madrid, during which he scored a total of 53 goals in all competitions. This included a record-breaking 40 goals in La Liga, making him the first player in the history of the Spanish top flight to score 40 goals in a single season. His performance earned him the Pichichi Trophy as the top scorer in the league and the European Golden Shoe.

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Football

Lionel also had an outstanding year with Barcelona. He played a crucial role in Barcelona’s success, contributing significantly to their Champions League victory and their win in La Liga. Over the year, Messi was involved in 49 goals for Barcelona, scoring 31 goals and providing 18 assists in the La Liga.

2012

Messi’s fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or in 2012, at the age of 25, set a new record. The Argentina international became the first player in history to win the prestigious prize four years in succession.

A standout moment for the accomplished forward was his remarkable performance in the 7-1 Champions League rout of Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored five goals. Moreover, Messi netted four times in the Primera Division victories against Valencia and Espanyol.

His unmatched performance, including an astonishing 91 goals in a calendar year, left no room for contention. The award ceremony saw Messi surpass legends like Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten in terms of total wins. His closest rival was Cristiano Ronaldo, who had led Real Madrid to La Liga success.

2015

Breaking the Ronaldo streak, Messi, at 28, reclaimed the Ballon d’Or in 2015. This victory was a comeback, marking his fifth win. He won with 41.33% of the votes, edging out Ronaldo and his teammate Neymar.

In 2015, the Catalan powerhouses clinched the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup titles with Luis Enrique. Messi played a pivotal role in each of these five successes. The award highlighted Messi’s sustained excellence.

2019

In 2019, Messi, aged 32, won his sixth Ballon d’Or, extending his record. Over the last 12 months, he contributed to 63 goals for both his club and national team, comprising 46 goals and 17 assists. His role as a creator was instrumental in Barcelona securing another La Liga title.

The win, however, was shrouded in controversy. While Messi had a fantastic year with Barcelona, many argued that Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, who came in second, was equally deserving, having led his team to a Champions League victory. Nevertheless, Messi’s 686 points against Van Dijk’s 679 showed his enduring appeal.

2021

At 34, Messi won his seventh Ballon d’Or in 2021, further cementing his legacy. His win followed Argentina’s Copa America triumph, their first major international title in decades, with the Argentine at the helm.

The 2021 Ballon d’Or win by Lionel Messi stirred up considerable controversy. Many felt Robert Lewandowski, who had a remarkable 41-goal season for Bayern Munich, was more deserving. The final vote was a close 613-580 in Messi’s favour, with a mere 33 votes separating them.

Acknowledging this during his acceptance speech, Messi himself suggested Lewandowski deserved the award for the previous year, which was cancelled due to the pandemic. Critics argued the criteria for the Ballon d’Or, supposedly based on individual and team performance, appeared skewed in favour of Messi.

Lewandowski’s consistent scoring prowess and impact on Bayern Munich’s success made his second-place finish a contentious point in the football world. Messi’s move from Barcelona to PSG also added a narrative twist to this victory.

2023

Messi’s most recent win, at 36, in 2023, was historic. He became the first player to win the Ballon d’Or with three different clubs and the first to win while playing outside Europe. For the second time in the history of the award, it was given based on the results of the season instead of the calendar year, with the season starting on 1 August 2022 and ending on 31 July 2023.

This eighth win, following his World Cup success with Argentina, was a testament to his longevity and prowess. Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe were among the top contenders, but Messi’s World Cup heroics sealed his victory.

In each of these wins in many years, Messi demonstrated not just his extraordinary talent but also his ability to adapt and excel in varying circumstances. From a young prodigy to a seasoned maestro, all of Messi’s Ballon d’Or wins are milestones in a career that has redefined football.

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