Sports
Players With the Most Ballon d’Or Nominations
The 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or has once again highlighted the remarkable longevity of football’s biggest stars.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the all-time leader for Ballon d’Or nominations with 18, while Lionel Messi has moved to 17 following his inclusion on the 2026 shortlist.
Ronaldo first appeared among the nominees in 2005, with his most recent nomination coming in 2022. Messi, meanwhile, has consistently featured among the world’s best and has turned his nominations into a record eight Ballon d’Or victories.
Several legends from previous generations also rank highly on the all-time list.
Most Ballon d’Or Nominations
1. Cristiano Ronaldo — 18
2. Lionel Messi — 17
3. Paolo Maldini — 13
4. Johan Cruyff — 12
5. Franz Beckenbauer — 12
6. Karim Benzema — 12
7. Zlatan Ibrahimović — 11
8. Gianluigi Buffon — 11
9. Zinédine Zidane — 11
10. Michel Platini — 11
11. Eusébio — 11
But when it comes to winning, Messi leads the way.
The Argentine has collected a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, while Ronaldo has won the prestigious individual prize five times.
Two of the greatest players in football history continue to dominate the Ballon d’Or record books.
