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How Many Ballon d'Or Does Messi Have?

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Published Nov 27, 2023

So you're wondering how many Ballon d'Or does Messi have? Let's get in to it!

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has had an illustrious career, marked by numerous individual accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards. The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by France Football, and it is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the sport. For a breakdown of the players with the most Ballon d'Or awards, check out this article.

Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or eight times. His remarkable career with FC Barcelona and the Argentinian national team saw him rise to prominence as he consistently showcased extraordinary skill, vision, and goal-scoring prowess. His ability to dribble past defenders, create scoring opportunities, and find the back of the net earned him widespread recognition. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that his trading cards are scattered all over our list of the 35 most expensive soccer cards of all time!

Here is a breakdown of all eight Lionel Messi Ballon d'Or wins:

1. 2009

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Team: Barcelona
Points: 473

Lionel Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009. This marked a significant moment in Messi's career as he became the first Argentine player to receive the prestigious award. In that year, he had a remarkable season with FC Barcelona under the management of Pep Guardiola. Messi's 2009 Ballon d'Or win marked the beginning of a period of individual dominance, as he continued to receive the award in the subsequent years, establishing himself as one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport.

2. 2010

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Team: Barcelona
Points: 22.65%

Lionel Messi won his second consecutive Ballon d'Or in 2010. This marked another exceptional year for the Argentine forward, who continued to display outstanding performances with FC Barcelona.

In the 2009-2010 season, Messi played a key role in Barcelona's success, contributing significantly to the team's achievements. Barcelona won La Liga again, and Messi was instrumental in their victory in the UEFA Champions League. His skillful play, incredible goal-scoring ability, and consistent performances throughout the season earned him the Ballon d'Or for the second year in a row.

3. 2011

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Team: Barcelona
Points: 47.88%

Lionel Messi won his third consecutive Ballon d'Or in 2011, further cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers in the world. In that year, Messi continued to dazzle with his performances for FC Barcelona.

During the 2010-2011 season, Messi played a pivotal role in Barcelona's success, helping the team secure the La Liga title. Additionally, Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League, with Messi playing a crucial part in their victory. His incredible goal-scoring record and consistent excellence on the field contributed significantly to Barcelona's achievements.

4. 2012

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Team: Barcelona
Points: 41.60%

Lionel Messi won his fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or in 2012, continuing his remarkable run of individual success. During the 2011-2012 season, Messi had an outstanding performance, breaking several records. He became the all-time top scorer for both Barcelona and La Liga in a single season, surpassing numerous goal-scoring milestones. His contributions played a significant role in Barcelona's success as they secured another La Liga title.

5. 2015

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Team: Barcelona
Points: 41.33%

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the fifth time in 2015. During the 2014-2015 season, Messi continued to demonstrate his exceptional skills and played a crucial role in FC Barcelona's success under manager Luis Enrique. In that season, Barcelona won the treble, securing the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. Messi's performances were outstanding, and he formed a lethal attacking trio alongside Neymar and Luis Suárez, known as "MSN." Messi's goal-scoring prowess, playmaking abilities, and overall impact on the team were instrumental in Barcelona's achievements.

6. 2019

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Team: Barcelona
Points: 686

Lionel Messi won his sixth Ballon d'Or in 2019. During the 2018-2019 season, Messi once again demonstrated his exceptional talent and consistency with FC Barcelona. Messi's sixth Ballon d'Or win in 2019 reaffirmed his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His ability to maintain a high level of performance over the years, along with his numerous individual and team achievements, has left an indelible mark on the history of the sport.

7. 2021

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Team: PSG
Points: 613

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or in 2021, marking his seventh Ballon d'Or win, making him the player with the most Ballon d'Or victories in the history of the award. Messi's performances during the transition to PSG and his continued excellence on the pitch contributed to him being awarded the Ballon d'Or for the seventh time. This win further solidified his legacy as one of the greatest footballers in history.

8. 2023

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Team: Inter Miami
Points: 462

In 2023, Lionel Messi won his eight Ballon d'Or after completing one of the greatest years in football. He earned his greatest accomplishment across this season, winning the World Cup for his national team Argentina. He trailed only Kylian Mbappe for the leading goal scorer in the tournament and became the first player to score in every stage of the World Cup. This only further solidified Messi as one of if not the greatest footballer to ever touch a pitch,