Countries whose players have won the most Ballons d'Or

Argentina is one of the most decorated nations in Ballon d'Or history and they have Lionel Messi to thank for their position at the summit.

The Inter Miami star has won a record eight Ballons d'Or during his career, three more than the next best Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi's successes means Argentina are level at the top with France on eight wins, although Les Bleus have had six different winners compared to Argentina's one.

Raymond Kopa was the first Frenchman to receive the prestigious prize in 1958 and he's since been accompanied by compatriots and three-time winner Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, Karim Benzema and Ousmane Dembele.

Germany, Netherlands and Portugal are all tied third on seven Ballon d'Or wins.

Germany had two multiple Ballon d'Or winners in Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, while Gerd Muller won in 1970, Lothar Matthäus in 1990 and Matthias Sammer in 1996.

Six of the seven Ballons d'Or won by the Netherlands were claimed by Johan Cruyff and Marco Van Basten. The legendary Cruyff won in 1971 before going back-to-back in 1973 and 1974, before prolific striker Van Basten won in 1988, 1989 and 1992.

Sandwiched between their successes was Ruud Gullit in 1987.

Five of Portugal's seven Ballons d'Or belong to Cristiano Ronaldo and he is accompanied by Eusebio and Luis Figo on the illustrious roll of honour.

Harry Kane's success in 2026 moved England onto six Ballon d'Or triumphs as the Bayern Munich frontman joined Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Michael Owen and two-time winner Kevin Keegan.

Italy and Brazil are level on five Ballons d'Or, with Italy flaunting five different winners - Omar Sivori, Gianni Rivera, Paolo Rossi, Roberto Baggio, and Fabio Cannavaro. Brazil have four winners including Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Kaka, with Ronaldo Nazario a two-time victor.

Spain have four Ballon d'Or successes with Rodri and Luis Suarez accompanying two-time winner Alfredo Di Stefano, while the Soviet Union complete the top 10 with representatives including Igor Belanov, Oleg Blokhin and Lev Yashin.

Countries whose players have won the most Ballon d'Ors

1. Argentina
2. France
3. Germany
4. Netherlands
5. Portugal
6. Italy
7. Brazil
8. England
9. Soviet Union
10. Spain

*Wins are attributed to the country represented at the time, including historical nations. Ties ordered by most recent win.