The Greatness of players are measured by using the the top prize they won in their career and winning the Ballon d’Or is widely considered as a major milestone on the planet.
Here is a list of five of the best players who won the FIFA Golden Ball more than three times.
1. Lionel Messi [Barcelona] – 5 Ballon d’Ors
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is now a record-maker since he
played his first game at Camp Nou after signing his first contract; as a
senior team player in 2005 on his 18th birthday.
The 28-year-old won 4 FIFA Ballon d’Ors in a row since 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012; and recaptured it again in 2015 to make it five.
The Argentina international is still proving and convincing that is able to win more before his retirement; as he has a massive partnership with Neymar and Luis Suarez.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo [Manchester United, Real Madrid] – 4 Ballon d’Ors
Ronaldo is also one of the most decorated players in the World of
football. He is the second to his arch-rival Messi in terms of records
during their career and generation.
The 31-year-old has been a prolific forward in his career; as he managed four Ballon d’Ors with two different clubs in various leagues and recently completed his 500 senior goals.
The Portuguese international crowned it for the first time in 2008 with Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. He won it again two times in arrow with Real Madrid between year 2013 and 2014.
3. Michel Platini [Juventus] – 3 Ballon d’Ors
Platini has been an outstanding players in his time and is still considered as one of best attacking midfielders in Europe.The Frenchman, who is currently banned from any related football activity for 8 years following the corruption scandal, played for three clubs including Nancy, Saint-Etienne and Juventus.
The 60-year-old Platini, who served as president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) from 2007 until 2015, won Ballon d’Or three times in arrow between year 1983-1985 with Juventus.
4. Johan Cruyff [Ajax, Barcelona] – 3 Ballon d’Ors
In the summer of 1973, the Dutchman was joined Barcelona for 6 million
deal and the forward won the second Ballon d’Or in his first season at
Camp Nou, before he retained it in 1974.
Cruyff is another player who won Ballon d’Or with two different clubs.
His first Ballon D’or came in the year 1971 with Ajax when he was the
highest scorer in Eredivisie; and won the European Cup too with Ajax,
before being transferred to Barcelona.
5. Marco Van Basten [AC Milan] – 3 Ballon d’Ors
The fifth player is Dutchman Van Basten, who won Ballon d’Or thrice
in 1988, 89 and 92 when was playing for Italian giants AC Milan.
Basten only played for two clubs including Dutch side Ajax and AC Milan before he retired as football player to join managerial career in 2003.
