Has anyone outside Europe won the Ballon d'Or?

Lionel Messi has won the prestigious trophy a record seven times

Football fans wait every year to witness one of the biggest awards ceremonies. Ballon d'Or ceremony is one of the biggest as everyone gets to know about who has been chosen as the best player for the year.

The Ballon d'Or is an award presented by France Football (a French news magazine). This was started in 1956 with Sir Stanley Matthews becoming the first recipient of this prestigious individual honour. He played for Blackpool and finished ahead of another legend, Alfredo Di Stefano in the rankings.

The award has been presented 67 times to 46 different players. Lionel Messi has been the dominant force with seven Ballon d'Or's to his name. Cristiano Ronaldo is his closest competitive with five in total. French legend Michel Platini and Dutch legends Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten are tied on three.

European players have won this award a maximum number of times and then there is one Argentine and a few Brazilians, who have won the Ballon d'Or. In 1995, George Weah became the only African player to win this award.

Since the start of this award, no player who has played outside Europe has won this award. All the award recipients have won the award playing for a European club.

Real Madrid and Barcelona players have won this award 12 times each. Juventus and AC Milan players have been awarded the Ballon d'Or eight times each.

Spanish clubs combine 24 Ballon d'Or wins. Italian clubs are behind them with 18; followed by German clubs with nine awards. Six players have won the award playing for an English club.

2023 Ballon d'Or favourites

This award will be presented for the 68th time in the year 2023. Lionel Messi leads the race because of his World Cup triumph. He faces competition from Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who won the Treble with the English club.

Lionel Messi joined MLS side Inter Miami and will be playing in the USA. If Messi wins the award then he could become the first player to win the Ballon d'Or outside Europe.

The 68th Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on 30 October 2023.