How Many Ballon d’Or Does Barcelona Have?

By Anna Duncan

Barcelona, one of the most successful football clubs in the world, has had a rich history in terms of individual accolades. The Ballon d’Or, often considered the most prestigious individual award in football, has been won by several Barcelona players over the years. In this article, we will take a closer look at how many Ballon d’Or awards Barcelona has accumulated.

The Early Years

Barcelona’s first Ballon d’Or winner was Luis Suárez, who claimed the honor in 1960. Suárez had an outstanding season with Barcelona, helping them win La Liga and reach the European Cup final. His performances on the pitch were recognized by journalists and experts around the world, leading to his well-deserved Ballon d’Or win.

Following Suárez’s triumph, Barcelona had to wait for over three decades before seeing another player lift the prestigious trophy.

The Arrival of Ronaldo and Rivaldo

In 1996 and 1997 respectively, Barcelona witnessed two back-to-back Ballon d’Or wins with Ronaldo and Rivaldo. Ronaldo’s extraordinary skills and goal-scoring prowess helped him secure the award during his time at Barcelona. Rivaldo continued this trend with his exceptional performances for both club and country.

The Messi Era

From 2009 onwards, Barcelona experienced an unprecedented period of dominance with Lionel Messi winning an incredible six Ballon d’Or awards. Messi’s incredible talent and consistency on the field have elevated him to legendary status. His exceptional dribbling skills, goal-scoring ability, and playmaking vision have made him one of the greatest players of all time.

Messi’s first Ballon d’Or win came in 2009 when he played a crucial role in Barcelona’s historic treble-winning season, which included the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey titles. He continued to shine and claim the award in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019.

Conclusion

In total, Barcelona has had nine Ballon d’Or winners. Luis Suárez started the journey back in 1960, followed by Ronaldo and Rivaldo in the late ’90s.

The Messi era then began in 2009 and is still ongoing as of now. With a total of six Ballon d’Or awards to his name while representing Barcelona, Messi has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the club’s history.

Barcelona’s success in producing Ballon d’Or winners is a testament to the club’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing a platform for players to excel. It is no surprise that Barcelona continues to be one of the most admired clubs worldwide.