Ballon d’Or: Real Madrid-Barça, who dominates the individual awards?

The rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona goes beyond club competitions like La Liga and the Champions League. These two Spanish giants are also in a fierce battle for another prestigious honor: the Ballon d’Or. This individual award from France Football, which annually crowns the world’s best player, has seen its fair share of stars from both clubs. But when it comes down to numbers, which club has won the most Ballons d’Or?

Since the Ballon d’Or was established in 1956, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have seen multiple players lift the trophy. Over the decades, these two clubs have dominated this individual competition for glory, amassing 23 Ballons d’Or between them out of the award’s 64 editions. With Karim Benzema’s triumph in 2022, both clubs are now neck and neck. But who truly leads this race for individual accolades?

The magic of Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or winners

FC Barcelona, with its emphasis on beautiful play and offensive creativity, has produced some of the sport’s most dazzling talents, many of whom have won the Ballon d’Or. In total, seven Ballons d’Or have been awarded to players donning the blaugrana colors, with one name standing above the rest: Lionel Messi.

The “Pulga” (Flea), now the all-time leader with seven Ballons d’Or, has significantly contributed to Barcelona’s celebrated status in the award’s history. The Argentine legend captured his trophies between 2009 and 2021, marking an era of Blaugrana supremacy. Before Messi, others had paved the way: Luis Suárez Miramontes, the first Spaniard to win the award in 1960; Dutchman Johan Cruyff, with two awards in 1973 and 1974; and Brazilian magician Ronaldinho, who won in 2005. Rivaldo in 1999 and Stoichkov in 1994 also left their mark on the award with their exceptional flair.

With its unique style of producing and attracting extraordinary talent, FC Barcelona has cemented a reputation as a club that consistently nurtures players worthy of football’s most prestigious individual accolade.

Real Madrid: A Ballon d’Or legacy through the ages

Real Madrid’s record in the Ballon d’Or race is equally impressive. The club’s lineup of legends across generations has solidified its place as a major contender for the award. The first to win this trophy for Los Blancos was Alfredo Di Stéfano, with two Ballons d’Or in 1957 and 1959. His reign over European football elevated Real Madrid to the top of the global stage. Di Stéfano remains the only player to receive the Super Ballon d’Or in 1989, a rare honor bestowed for his lifetime achievements.

Cristiano Ronaldo, with four of his five Ballons d’Or achieved while at Real Madrid, revitalized the club’s presence in the modern Ballon d’Or era. His relentless pursuit of excellence helped Real Madrid conquer Europe once more. Luka Modrić in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022 have further added to this legacy of brilliance, showing that Los Merengues continue to attract the world’s best talents.

Real Madrid and Barcelona’s race for the Ballon d’Or shows no sign of slowing. Figo and Ronaldo Nazário, who both switched from Barcelona to Madrid, as well as Fabio Cannavaro, have also contributed to the glory of the Merengues. As both clubs strengthen their lineups, the competition for individual accolades remains as intense as ever.

This Monday, October 28, Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. is expected to arrive in Paris to receive his Ballon d’Or for 2024. After a stellar season in which he was instrumental in the club’s success in La Liga and the Champions League, the Brazilian international is poised to bolster Real Madrid’s status as a Ballon d’Or-producing powerhouse. And with Kylian Mbappé, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, the next Ballon d’Or might not be far off for Los Blancos.