Clubs with the most Ballon d’Or winners in history

The Ballon d’Or has celebrated football’s brightest stars since 1956. While it is an individual honour, the role of clubs in shaping legendary careers cannot be ignored.

Here is a look at the clubs that have produced the most winners and the players behind their success.

Real Madrid are tied at the top of the list with 12 Ballon d’Or titles. Their history is filled with icons who thrived in white.

• Alfredo Di Stéfano

• Raymond Kopa

• Luis Figo

• Ronaldo Nazário

• Fabio Cannavaro

• Cristiano Ronaldo (4 wins at Madrid)

• Luka Modric

• Karim Benzema

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Barcelona’s dominance largely comes from Lionel Messi’s brilliance, but the Catalans have had other winners too.

• Luis Suárez Miramontes

• Johan Cruyff (2 wins at Barça)

• Hristo Stoichkov

• Rivaldo

• Ronaldinho

• Lionel Messi (6 wins at Barça)

The Italian giants have a rich Ballon d’Or history, reflecting their dominance in European football during different eras.

• Omar Sívori

• Paolo Rossi

• Roberto Baggio

• Zinedine Zidane

• Pavel Nedvěd

• Michel Platini (3 consecutive wins)

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Milan’s golden periods produced legends who lit up the world stage.

• Gianni Rivera

• Ruud Gullit

• Marco van Basten (3 wins)

• George Weah

• Andriy Shevchenko

• Kaká

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Bayern’s winners reflect German football’s consistency and excellence.

• Gerd Müller

• Franz Beckenbauer (2 wins)

• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (2 wins)

Each of United’s winners came from a different generation of greatness.

• Denis Law

• Bobby Charlton

• George Best

• Cristiano Ronaldo (first Ballon d’Or in 2008)

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The Ukrainian side had two standout stars who conquered Europe.

• Oleg Blokhin

• Igor Belanov

Italian legends brought the award to the blue half of Milan.

• Lothar Matthäus

• Ronaldo Nazário

PSG entered the history books recently.

• Lionel Messi (2021)

• Ousmane Dembele (2025)

Messi’s 2023 victory made Inter Miami the first MLS club with a Ballon d’Or winner.

• Lionel Messi

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City joined the list in 2024.

• Rodri