The Football Legends Who Have Earned the Most Ballon d'Or Nominations in History

The Ballon d'Or stands as soccer's most coveted individual accolade, with a nomination alone signaling a player's place among the sport's finest.

Since the award was first presented in 1956, only a handful of players have claimed it multiple times, with Lionel Messi holding the record at eight wins. Yet lifting the golden ball isn't the sole measure of excellence—consistently appearing on the nominees list is itself a remarkable distinction.

So, which players have earned Ballon d'Or nominations more frequently than any other? Let's find out.