The 2022 edition marked the last time a Real Madrid supporter claimed the Ballon d’Or.
In the crowded narrative of football’s biggest stars, a defining moment emerged not just from rosters or rivalries, but from a crossing of eras. A child named Luka Modrić walked through the shadows of a Balkan conflict, later to stand among the sport’s elite. He rose to prominence in a clash of giants—Messi versus Ronaldo—yet his path was forged in a different arena: the pursuit of greatness with Real Madrid. Modrić’s journey mixed near-misses with triumph, as he joined a dynasty that had already tasted Europe’s highest club honor and the ultimate prize of the World Cup from a Croatian vantage point. He became a central figure in Madrid’s bid to lift the Ballon d’Or, ultimately clinching the award in the penultimate season before the club’s latest triumphs.
In 2018, a turning point arrived when the white jersey shone brightest in European football. Modrić toppled a trio of high-profile rivals—Cristiano Ronaldo, who had moved on to new challenges, and Antoine Griezmann—to capture football’s most coveted individual prize. The victory underscored a generation’s shift and the sustained excellence of Madrid’s squad.
Four years later, in 2022, Karim Benzema reclaimed the Ballon d’Or for Real Madrid, reinforcing the club’s enduring influence on the world stage and cementing a remarkable chapter in its storied trophy cabinet.
Before Benzema and Modrić redefined the club’s leadership, Cristiano Ronaldo had donned the white kit and lifted the trophy on four occasions. The list of Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or laureates stretches back through the club’s legendary past: Cannavaro, Ronaldo Nazário, and Luís Figo, along with Alfredo Di Stéfano, each leaving an indelible mark on the club’s legacy of excellence. The Ballon d’Or’s history with Real Madrid reflects a blend of individual brilliance and the club’s sustained dominance across decades.
How many Real Madrid players have won the Ballon d’Or and in which years and editions
- Alfredo Di Stéfano (1957 and 1959)
- Raymond Kopa (1958)
- Luís Figo (2000)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2002)
- Fabio Cannavaro (2006)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017)
- Luka Modrić (2018)
- Karim Benzema (2022)
These milestones illustrate Real Madrid’s unique ability to cultivate and attract world-class talents who redefine the sport’s expectations. The Ballon d’Or lineage for the club is not just a tally of awards but a chronicle of how the club has shaped football’s narrative—how it blends deep-rooted tradition with the evolving dynamics of the modern game. The thread tying these names together is a shared standard of excellence, a relentless pursuit of success, and a correlation between individual brilliance and collective triumph.
In the broader context of football history, the Ballon d’Or serves as a barometer of how clubs like Real Madrid balance star power with team cohesion. The club’s ability to integrate global icons into a cohesive, high-performing system has repeatedly translated personal accolades into team success, reinforcing Madrid’s status as a perennial force in European football. (Goal)