One way to try to see who the best soccer players are is, for example , by counting the number of trophies and awards that each one has and comparing them with each other. Although many times this does not ensure being the best, it certainly helps to get an idea that at least he is a great footballer.
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The 15 players with the most Golden Balls
This award is given annually by France Football and is considered the highest honor and recognition in the world of football. In addition, each year, a Ballon d’Or, a silver ball and a bronze ball are awarded.
Below we show the players who have managed to collect a greater number of Golden Balls, not counting the silver and bronze balls , although we will use the latter to break the tie in the classification.
15. Gerd Muller
Full name Gerhard Muller and nicknamed the “Bomber of the nation”, is a retired footballer considered one of the best in history.
In addition, he is today one of the top scorers in football history with no less than 735 official goals. He has a Ballon d’Or.
- Silver balls: 1.
- Bronze balls: 2.
14. Raymond Kopa
French soccer player has been one of the best players in the history of France and was also recognized as one of the best athletes in the country.
Of Polish parents, this player reached the top playing for Real Madrid and Stade de Reims. He also won three times the European Cup being in this first club. He has a Ballon d’Or.
- Silver balls: 1.
- Bronze balls: 2.
13. Bobby Charlton
This former English player is considered by FIFA as the best player in the history of England. He is also the second player who has participated in the most matches and the second in the ranking of the players with the most goals for the Manchester United club. He has a Ballon d’Or.
- Silver balls: 2.
- Bronze balls: 0.
12. Eusebio da Silva
This Portuguese soccer player of African origin was one of the best European soccer players of the last century and one of the best strikers of all time. He has a Ballon d’Or.
- Silver balls: 2.
- Bronze balls: 0.
11. Luis Suarez
He is the only Spaniard to have won a Ballon d’Or and played mainly for Real Club Deportivo de La Coruna, Barcelona Futbol Club and UC Sampdoria, the latter being the club with which he finished his sports career in the year 1973.
- Silver balls: 2.
- Bronze balls: 0.
10. Lionel Messi
Although many believe that he is one of the players with the most Ballon d’Ors, the truth is that this is not the case. Messi only has 1 Ballon d’Or and the rest, up to the 5 that are usually attributed to him, are silver and bronze.
- Silver balls: 3.
- Bronze balls: 1.
9. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
With two Ballon d’Ors , he inaugurates the list of those champions who have won the Ballon d’Or more than once, with his 2 awards. This German player participated in the selection of his country, managing to win the European Championship in 1980.
He also managed to be runner-up in the world on two different occasions: in 1982 and in 1986.
- Silver balls: 1.
- Bronze balls: 0.
8. Kevin Keegan
Popularly known as Mighty Mouse, he played as a center forward and right forward. Already retired as a player, he now works as a coach. He has been awarded the Ballon d’Or twice , in 1978 and 1979.
- Silver balls: 1.
- Bronze balls: 0.
7. Alfredo Di Stefano
Of Argentine origin, he obtained Spanish nationality shortly after arriving in the country. He worked as a soccer player for the River Plate, Huracan and Real Madrid teams, where he held the position of honorary president until 2000 when he died.
It is important to mention that Di Stefano won a special Ballon d’Or, called Super Ballon d’Or. This would make him add a total of 3 Ballon d’Ors , which would allow him to climb positions in the classification. In any case, we have only taken into account the Ballon d’Ors as such.
- Special Balls: 1.
- Silver balls: 1.
- Bronze balls: 0.
6. Ronaldo Nazario
Full name Luis Nazario de Lima and popularly known as Ronaldinho (nickname given to him as a result of the 1994 World Cup), was a Brazilian soccer player who held the position of striker, being for many, the best player of all the times, beyond the awards and trophies. He adds 2 Golden Balls.
- Silver balls: 1.
- Bronze balls: 1.
5. Franz Beckenbauer
Known by his followers as The Kaiser, he is today a retired footballer who serves as president of Bayern Munich.
Considered the best midfielder of all time, he was the captain of the German national team at the time he won the 1974 World Cup and the 1972 European Championship.
As a curiosity, in 1977 he acknowledged having used blood doping (injecting his own blood, previously extracted, to increase the concentration of red and white blood cells. In any case, at the time he did it, these practices were not illegal. He has 2 Golden Balls.
- Silver balls: 2.
- Bronze balls: 1.
4. Marco van Basten
Marco van Basten is one of only 4 players to have won 3 Ballon d’Ors (not counting Di Stefano’s Super Ballon d’Or).
This world-renowned Dutch footballer unfortunately suffered an injury in 1995 that forced him to put aside sports practice and competitions, thus shortening his unbeatable career of success.
- Silver balls: 0.
- Bronze balls: 0.
3. Johan Cruyff
He spent no less than ten seasons at the Ajax club in Amsterdam and later, in 1973, he went to Futbol Club Barcelona, where he remained until 1978. He has won a total of 3 Golden Balls.
- Silver balls: 0.
- Bronze balls: 1.
2. Michel Platini
With a total of 5 balls including the 2 bronze balls , this French player was also president of UEFA from 2007 to 2015.
He has won titles such as the Italian championship, the European Champions Cup or the Cup. Intercontinental. He received the Ballon d’Or in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Even outside the world of soccer, he was awarded the distinction of Knight of the Legion of Honor (a title offered by the French government).
- Silver balls: 0.
- Bronze balls: 2.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
The unmistakable CR7 reaches the first position since he not only has 3 Golden Balls but also 2 silver.
His full name is Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. He is currently captain of the Portugal national team and plays for the Real Madrid team.
In addition, he is the top scorer in the history of Real Madrid with no less than 422 goals scored in 7 seasons. Quite a record. But not the only one since he has 4 Golden Boots and 2 FIFA Ballon d’Ors.
- Silver balls: 2.
- Bronze balls: 0.
