All The Chelsea Players Who Have Claimed The Prestigious Ballon d'Or Crown

Chelsea rank among the most decorated clubs in contemporary English football.

Roman Abramovich's purchase of Stamford Bridge in 2003 launched a new era of lavish spending on marquee signings and trophy-winning campaigns.

Prior to his takeover, the Blues had captured just a single top-flight championship, nearly five decades earlier, along with three FA Cups. However, substantial investment in players and management rapidly turned the club's trajectory around, drawing elite talent to west London.

Yet Chelsea's collective achievements have not always translated into personal accolades. The Ballon d'Or, presented annually to the world's finest male player—originally restricted to Europeans before expanding globally—since 1956, has continued to elude the club despite its roster of high-profile stars.

Every Player Who Has Won the Ballon d'Or with Chelsea

In truth, no player has ever claimed the Ballon d'Or while on Chelsea's books.

Despite the club's long list of global superstars, three former Blues have taken home the award—though each did so during their time at AC Milan, well before arriving in London.

Ruud Gullit lifted the prize in 1987, years ahead of his 1995 move to Chelsea, where he would later serve as manager. That same year, George Weah also took the honor, becoming the first non-European recipient and still the only African player to have won it. His stint at Chelsea came via a loan from Milan in 2000, and the Liberian also featured briefly for Manchester City before Sheikh Mansour's takeover.

Andriy Shevchenko claimed the 2004 Ballon d'Or just before his transfer to Chelsea in 2006. The Milan and Ukraine forward edged out Barcelona pair Deco—who would later join Chelsea—and Ronaldinho for the honor, though his spell at Stamford Bridge produced only nine Premier League goals.

Chelsea Players Who Have Finished in the Ballon d'Or Top Three

Frank Lampard came the closest to lifting the Ballon d'Or as a Chelsea player, finishing as runner-up in 2005 after helping the club secure their first Premier League crown under José Mourinho.

Lampard edged out fellow England international Steven Gerrard, who took third place, but neither man could match Barcelona's Ronaldinho, who won by a margin of 77 points.

Jorginho also reached the podium in 2021 following his Champions League triumph with Chelsea and Italy's victory at the postponed Euro 2020 tournament. Despite an outstanding year, he finished third behind Lionel Messi, who secured his seventh Ballon d'Or after guiding Argentina to Copa América glory.

Every Chelsea Player to Finish on the Ballon d'Or Podium