Thierry Henry’s brilliant response when asked who should win the Ballon d’Or The unusual award Lionel Messi could win for the first time in his 20-year career Full Ballon d’Or votes show The wait is over. Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema won his first career Ballon d'Or on Monday, October 17, becoming the second oldest player to win the award at age 34 and the oldest since Even prior to Monday's ceremony in Paris, no player had won the Ballon d'Or more times than Messi, who first won it in 2009 and then again in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021. Messi's nomination comes a year after he was omitted from the shortlist. Should he win the men's Ballon d'Or this year, it would mark his eighth time winning the award -- the second most is Cristiano Ronaldo with five. In February, Messi also won the Best FIFA Men's Player award for a second time. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Discover all the winners below, including the Ballon d'Or Feminin. Football legends Johan Cruyff, Eusébio, Gerd Müller, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have all won the prestigious Ballon d'Or or ‘Golden Ball’, which honours the best player of the season. Messi currently holds the record for most Ballon d'Ors with eight (2009 But the Ballon d’Or has saluted ruthless efficiency in the past, not just artistry. Ronaldo has won the award five times, the last two in 2016 and 2017 built on the back of unerring finishing Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or wins. After finishing third in 2007 and second in 2008, Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009, before going on to win the award for the following three successive years. Published: 21:19, 29 November 2021. Lionel Messi has increased his dominance of the Ballon d’Or, winning the award for a record seventh time. The Argentinian superstar was among the favourites YcqAc.