The announcement of the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or has brought the spotlight back to the players who have enjoyed the longest runs among football’s elite.
While the latest nominations feature a new generation of stars, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain the two most nominated players in Ballon d’Or history.
Messi has earned his 17th nomination after being included among the contenders for the 2026 award. The Inter Miami forward is now just one nomination behind Ronaldo, who holds the record with 18.
Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or nomination came in 2005, while his most recent appearance on the shortlist was in 2022. His 18 nominations underline his remarkable consistency at the highest level over almost two decades.
Messi, meanwhile, has been a regular presence on the shortlist throughout his career and has converted those nominations into a record eight Ballon d’Or wins.
Beyond the two modern-day greats, several legendary names from previous generations feature prominently in the all-time rankings.
AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini has 13 nominations, while Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer and Karim Benzema have each been nominated 12 times.
A further group of football legends, including Zlatan Ibrahimović, Gianluigi Buffon, Zinédine Zidane, Michel Platini and Eusébio, have 11 nominations apiece.
Players with the most Ballon d’Or nominations
Cristiano Ronaldo – 18 nominations
Lionel Messi – 17
Paolo Maldini – 13
Johan Cruyff – 12
Franz Beckenbauer – 12
Karim Benzema – 12
Zlatan Ibrahimović – 11
Gianluigi Buffon – 11
Zinédine Zidane – 11
Michel Platini – 11
Eusébio – 11
Despite Ronaldo leading the nominations chart, Messi has the superior record when it comes to victories.
The Argentine has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, compared with Ronaldo’s five. The pair are the only players to have won the award more than once in the 21st century.
They also became the first multiple winners since Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazário, who claimed the award in 1997 and 2002.
Vanguard News
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