Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or Legacy: Every Nomination, Victory, and Record-Breaking Vote Revealed

Lionel Messi has never appeared particularly driven by personal awards, yet his exceptional ability has made them almost unavoidable.

From his formative years at hometown club Barcelona to the current chapter of his career with Inter Miami, Messi has enjoyed a trophy-filled journey, reaching the peak of international soccer when he guided Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022.

While the modest Messi would undoubtedly regard that World Cup triumph as the defining achievement of his career, even he would have to acknowledge that lifting the Ballon d'Or—world soccer's most coveted individual honor—comes remarkably close.

And he's claimed it more times than anyone else. But exactly how many times? And how does his voting history compare to his impressive tally of wins and nominations?

How Many Times Has Lionel Messi Been Nominated for the Ballon d'Or?

Lionel Messi has accumulated the second-most Ballon d'Or nominations in history, with 2026 representing his 17th appearance on the final shortlist. Only long-standing rival Cristiano Ronaldo, with 18 nominations, surpasses him.

Messi received his first nomination in 2006, during his breakout season at Barcelona, and featured on the shortlist every year through 2022. However, even he has faced some disappointments. His opening season at Paris Saint-Germain failed to meet his usual high standards, leaving him absent from the shortlist in 2022 as Karim Benzema claimed the award.

Messi's outstanding World Cup campaign in Qatar thrust him firmly back into contention, and he went on to claim his eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023.

He was absent from the shortlist in both 2024 and 2025, as was Ronaldo, before re-entering the picture in 2026 following an extraordinary season with Inter Miami, netting 43 goals and steering the club to the 2025 MLS Cup.

How Many Times Has Lionel Messi Won the Ballon d'Or?

While Ronaldo leads his great rival in nominations, Messi holds the all-time record for Ballon d'Or victories, having taken home the prize on eight occasions.

His first win arrived in 2009, following a brilliant season highlighted by a goal in Barcelona's Champions League final victory against Manchester United. He then claimed the next three awards, though his 2010 triumph proved contentious, with many believing Wesley Sneijder was more deserving after his standout performances for Inter Milan and the Netherlands.

Ronaldo enjoyed his own dominant spell as Real Madrid captured three Champions League titles in four years between 2014 and 2018, limiting Messi to just one Ballon d'Or during that stretch.

The Argentine has since collected three more, with his most recent coming in 2023.

Lionel Messi: Full Ballon d'Or Voting record