The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious individual accolade, awarded annually to the best player in the world. It has long been seen as a measure of a player’s brilliance, but it’s also been influenced by external factors such as narratives, team success, and even politics. Over the years, the winners have often sparked debates, with many questioning if the right player truly walked away with the trophy.
This article revisits every Ballon d’Or winner since 2008, comparing the official choice with our Score 90 opinion. Did the voting panel get it right? Or was there a more deserving candidate overlooked? Let’s break it down year by year.
2008 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Official Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo
Our Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo
There’s no controversy here. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007/08 season was exceptional. He scored 42 goals across all competitions as Manchester United secured both the Premier League and Champions League titles. Ronaldo was not only the star player in a dominant team, but his individual brilliance left little doubt as to who deserved the Ballon d’Or that year.
2009 – Lionel Messi
Official Winner: Lionel Messi
Our Pick: Lionel Messi
In 2009, Lionel Messi cemented his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Under Pep Guardiola, Barcelona won a historic treble. Messi’s performances, including 38 goals and 20 assists, were instrumental in their success. His incredible consistency and dominance across all competitions made him the clear choice, and we fully agree with this decision.
2010 – Lionel Messi
Official Winner: Lionel Messi
Our Pick: Lionel Messi
The 2010 Ballon d’Or was perhaps the most debated in recent memory. While Wesley Sneijder won a treble with Inter Milan and helped Netherlands to the World Cup final, he didn’t even make the top three. Messi, on the other hand, scored 47 goals that season and was the standout player in Barcelona’s title-winning campaign. Despite Sneijder’s incredible achievements, Messi’s individual brilliance, especially in the La Liga title race, justified his win.
2011 – Lionel Messi
Official Winner: Lionel Messi
Our Pick: Lionel Messi
No arguments here. Lionel Messi was, by far, the best player in the world during the 2010/11 season. He scored 53 goals and was the focal point of what Sir Alex Ferguson called the best team he’d ever faced — Barcelona. Messi’s performances in the Champions League and La Liga were simply unmatched, and his Ballon d’Or win was well-deserved.
2012 – Lionel Messi
Official Winner: Lionel Messi
Our Pick: Lionel Messi
2012 marked one of the most iconic seasons in football history. Messi scored an astonishing 91 goals in the calendar year, breaking Gerd Müller’s long-standing record. It was a season of pure brilliance, and Messi’s dominance in both domestic and international competitions solidified his place as the best player in the world. There was no debate — this was a season for the ages.
2013 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Official Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo
Our Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo
In 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo had a phenomenal season, scoring 59 goals for both Real Madrid and Portugal. Lionel Messi was hampered by injuries, but Ronaldo’s individual performances, especially in Portugal’s World Cup qualification and Real Madrid’s progress in the Champions League, set him apart. While Franck Ribéry had a claim, Ronaldo’s individual brilliance in a mediocre team made him the deserved winner.
2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Official Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo
Our Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo
After Real Madrid won La Décima — their 10th Champions League title — Cristiano Ronaldo was the obvious choice. He scored a record 17 goals in the competition, a feat that remains unbeaten. His contributions across Real Madrid’s campaign were instrumental, and he also finished the year with 51 goals in all competitions. Ronaldo’s consistency and leadership made this another well-deserved Ballon d’Or win.
2015 – Lionel Messi
Official Winner: Lionel Messi
Our Pick: Lionel Messi
In 2015, the MSN trio of Messi, Suárez, and Neymar wreaked havoc on opponents. Messi’s 41 goals and his vital role in Barcelona’s treble made him an obvious winner. His brilliance was at its peak, and we completely agree with the decision to award him another Ballon d’Or that year.
2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Official Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo
Our Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo
In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo had arguably his best year yet, securing both a Champions League title and Euro 2016 glory with Portugal. Despite Lionel Messi’s continued brilliance for Barcelona, it was Ronaldo’s leadership, influence, and crucial goals in both club and international tournaments that made him the best in the world.
2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Official Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo
Our Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo
Another year, another win for Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid won a historic Champions League–La Liga double, and Ronaldo’s 42 goals in all competitions were crucial. There was no denying his influence, and his performances in big matches once again solidified his claim to the Ballon d’Or.
2018 – Luka Modrić
Official Winner: Luka Modrić
Our Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo
While Luka Modrić’s performances were exceptional — leading Croatia to the World Cup final and dominating in Real Madrid’s midfield — we feel Cristiano Ronaldo was still the better individual player. Ronaldo scored 44 goals and delivered key performances in both the Champions League and Serie A. Modrić’s victory was more about the World Cup narrative than his individual brilliance, in our view.
2019 – Lionel Messi
Official Winner: Lionel Messi
Our Pick: Lionel Messi
In 2019, Lionel Messi scored 51 goals and led Barcelona to a La Liga title. His performances throughout the year were phenomenal, and despite not winning the Champions League, Messi’s ability to carry Barcelona in key moments made him the best player in the world.
2020 – Cancelled
Official Winner: N/A
Our Pick: Robert Lewandowski
The 2020 Ballon d’Or was canceled due to the pandemic, but there’s no question that Robert Lewandowski would have won. His tally of 55 goals for Bayern Munich was simply outstanding, and he helped the club secure a historic treble. He was the best player in the world that season, and his omission from the award will forever remain a sore spot in Ballon d’Or history.
2021 – Lionel Messi
Official Winner: Lionel Messi
Our Pick: Robert Lewandowski
Once again, Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or in 2021, largely due to his performances at Copa América. However, Robert Lewandowski was the standout player of the season, scoring a record 41 goals in the Bundesliga and breaking Gerd Müller’s long-standing record. Messi’s victory was more about narratives and international glory than individual brilliance in our eyes.
2022 – Karim Benzema
Official Winner: Karim Benzema
Our Pick: Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema’s 2022 Ballon d’Or win was truly deserved. The French striker had a career-defining season, scoring 44 goals, including key performances in the Champions League knockout stages. His leadership, resilience, and goal-scoring ability propelled Real Madrid to another Champions League triumph, and he was undoubtedly the best player that year.
2023 – Lionel Messi
Official Winner: Lionel Messi
Our Pick: Erling Haaland
Despite Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d’Or in 2023, many, including us, believe that Erling Haaland was the true standout. Haaland’s 52 goals in his debut season for Manchester City, coupled with their treble win, made him the more deserving winner. Messi’s World Cup victory played a pivotal role in his win, but Haaland’s exceptional season cannot be overlooked.
2024 – Rodri
Official Winner: Rodri
Our Pick: Vinícius Júnior
Rodri’s performances in Manchester City’s midfield were exceptional, but Vinícius Júnior should have claimed the Ballon d’Or for his match-winning goal in the Champions League final and his 15 goals in La Liga. Vinícius’s contributions were crucial to Real Madrid’s success, and his impact was undeniable.
2025 Favourite – Ousmane Dembélé
Official Winner: Ousmane Dembélé (as of 2025)
Our Pick: Ousmane Dembélé
After a sensational season with PSG, winning the Champions League, Ligue 1, and the Coupe de France, Ousmane Dembélé is the front-runner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. However, Mbappé, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal also had standout seasons. We expect Dembélé’s individual brilliance combined with PSG’s collective success to make him a worthy winner.
