Top eight nations with most different Ballon d'Or winners
These nations have produced different winners.
With six distinct Ballon d’Or winners, France lead the globe in this regard. Even if nations like Argentina have won more awards overall, individual players—like Lionel Messi, who has won eight—dominate their totals. France lead in this category, with different players winning in several different years.
However, many other nations have also witnessed different stars lifting the award over the years. Now Harry Kane, who won the latest edition of the prize, has become the latest English player and the first since Michael Owen, who won in 2001, to win the prize.
List of nations with the most different Ballon d’Or winners
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
| Nations | Ballon d’Or winners |
| France | 6 |
| England | 5 |
| Germany | 5 |
| Italy | 5 |
| Brazil | 4 |
| Netherlands | 3 |
| Portugal | 3 |
| Spain | 3 |
8. Spain: 3
Surprisingly few Spanish men have won the Ballon d’Or, despite producing some of the greatest players in recent memory and one of the greatest international teams ever from 2008 to 2012.
La Roja ended a 64-year drought for a men’s Ballon d’Or victory in 2024 when Rodri won the award. But players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta were not honoured for their achievements. The men’s Ballon d’Or has been won by three Spanish football players: Alfredo Di Stéfano in 1957 and 1959, Rodri in 2024 and Luis Suárez in 1960.
7. Portugal: 3
Regardless of age, the majority of Portuguese football fans would immediately think of one name when discussing the best players in history. But what about the other two Ballon d’Or winners? This individual prize, often known as the World Footballer of the Year, recognises the world’s best player for the whole year.
Since the award’s inception in 1956, three different Portuguese players have won it. Cristiano Ronaldo has won it an astounding five times, besides Eusébio in 1965 and Luís Figo in 2000.
6. Netherlands: 3
The Netherlands have been home to three different Ballon d’Or titles thanks to the combined efforts of three Dutch heroes. Furthermore, they are the only Dutch athletes to have received the prize, making three distinct Dutch stars the winners.
Two of the finest players of their respective eras, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten, both took home the trophy three times. After a spectacular season with AC Milan, Ruud Gullit’s triumph in 1987 completed the nation’s total.
5. Brazil: 4
Brazil have had four different Ballon d’Or winners; Ronaldo became the nation’s first winner in 1997 following an incredible season with FC Barcelona.
Following Rivaldo in 1999, Ronaldo won the prize once more in 2002 after assisting Brazil in winning the World Cup.
In 2005, Ronaldinho added another Brazilian victory, and in 2007, Kaká became the nation’s most recent victor.
4. Italy: 5
Five different players have contributed to Italy’s five Ballon d’Or wins. The nation’s first winner was Omar Sánchezori in 1961, followed by Gianni Rivera, Paolo Rossi, Roberto Baggio, and Fabio Cannavaro, who is still Italy’s most recent winner, having won it in 2006 after leading Italy to victory in the World Cup.
3. Germany: 5
Some of the best German players in European football history won the award. In addition to Gerd Müller, Lothar Matthäus, and Matthias Sammer, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge each won twice. Germany are the third country with five different or more Ballon d’Or winners. After helping West Germany win the World Cup, Matthäus won in 1990.
2. England: 5
Stanley Matthews was the first recipient of the Ballon d’Or in England’s history in 1956. Kevin Keegan won twice in 1978 and 1979, while Bobby Charlton followed in 1966 after assisting England in winning the World Cup. Michael Owen became the fourth English player to win the award in 2001 following an exceptional season with Liverpool.
Harry Kane is now the fifth England player to win the award after being named the winner this year.
1. France: 6
With its success spanning many generations, France have produced an astounding six distinct Ballon d’Or winners. After Raymond Kopa’s victory in 1958, Michel Platini won three times in a row between 1983 and 1985. In addition to Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema, Ousmane Dembélé became France’s most recent winner in 2025.
Which Portuguese player has won the Ballon d’Or award the most times?
Ronaldo has won the award five times.
Who is the recent Ballon d’Or winner?
Harry Kane is the most recent winner.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.