From Luis Suarez to Lionel Messi, Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or lineage | OneFootball

Barcelona have had 14 Ballon d'Or winners, the most of any club. Rodri, a Spanish world champion, could extend that tradition.

According to L'Équipe, the lineage began with Luis Suarez, who starred from 1954 to 1961 and won the 1960 Ballon d'Or, then the youngest recipient. The former midfielder died aged 88 in July 2023 and later podium finishes came in 1961, 1964 and 1965. Johan Cruyff arrived in 1973 already a 1971 winner with Ajax, then added honours in 1973 and 1974 to become the first with three Ballons d'Or.

Hristo Stoitchkov took the 1994 crown for Barcelona ahead of Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini. Ronaldo followed with a dazzling single season, top-scoring in La Liga with 34 in 37 and winning the Cup Winners' Cup against PSG. At 21 he became the youngest winner, surpassing Luis Suarez, before joining Inter Milan.

Rivaldo, a Barcelona player from 1997 to 2002, lifted the 1999 award ahead of David Beckham and Andriy Shevchenko. Luis Figo, fifth in 1999, succeeded him in 2000 despite no club or national silverware, edging Zinédine Zidane before departing for Real Madrid.

Ronaldinho arrived from PSG in 2003, placed third in 2004, then won in 2005 while driving Barcelona to a first league title since 1999, and was named the Champions League’s best player. Lionel Messi delivered six of Barcelona’s Ballons d'Or between 2009 and 2021, though he ended 2021 at PSG. He won 35 trophies in 17 years and made the podium 10 times.

Barcelona also lead the women’s award since 2018. Alexia Putellas won in 2021 and 2022, Aitana Bonmati in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and their Champions League triumph in May against OL Lyonnes could further tighten their grip.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”