The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has redefined an era in football, with Messi leading in individual awards and Ronaldo as his closest pursuer. The two football giants have accumulated 13 Balón de Oro awards between them, with Messi holding a significant advantage. According to Olé, Messi has won eight Balón de Oro awards, while Ronaldo has won five.
The discussion about who was better has been ongoing for generations, but the numbers of the Balón de Oro show a clear reality: Messi is the most awarded footballer in history, while Ronaldo occupies the second spot in the historical ranking. Messi's first Balón de Oro was in 2009, followed by consecutive wins in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. This record is absolute, with no other player able to match it.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, has won five Balón de Oro awards, with his first win in 2008, followed by consecutive wins in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The two footballers have dominated the Balón de Oro awards between 2008 and 2017, with only Luka Modric interrupting their hegemony in 2018.
The comparison between Messi and Ronaldo continues to be relevant, especially as both players are nearing the end of their careers. However, in the context of the Balón de Oro awards, the advantage is clear: Messi has eight awards, while Ronaldo has five. This difference reinforces the magnitude of Messi's legacy.