Ballon d’Or 2024: Goals and assists of every Ballon d’Or winner since 2010

Following his 2022 World Cup triumph, Lionel Messi secured his record 8th Ballon d’Or in 2023, the most by any player in history. With both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo absent from the nominees for the first time in 21 years, 2024 ushers in a new era of stars. As we await this year’s best male player, let’s revisit the remarkable records that helped legends like Messi and Ronaldo claim this prestigious award.

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Winners from 2010- Present

2010: Lionel Messi- 77 goals and assists in 64 matches

⚽️✨ Throwback in 2010 when Lionel Messi won his 2nd Ballon d'Or! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/t0rimMhVtn

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 12, 2024

In a year that saw Barcelona miss out on the Champions League final and Argentina crash out of the World Cup in the Round of 16 not many people expected Messi to clinch the award but with a UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the numbers he put out in all the competitions he featured in it was only deserving of him to win the award.

2011: Lionel Messi- 96 goals and assists in 70 matches

This season Lionel Messi was utterly unbelievable helping Barcelona win the La Liga, and Champions League and the highest goal scorer in the competition with 12 goals to his name he became the competition's highest goal scorer in 3 consecutive seasons between 2009-2011. He was also La Liga’s highest goal scorer and assist provider with

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2012: Lionel Messi- 113 goals and assists in 69 matches

2010 and 2012 Ballon d’Or ceremony - When Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or#ballondor pic.twitter.com/aa3kKxtf3s

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) August 16, 2023

Winning an award three years in a row is rare in any field, but Messi is not just rare—he’s generational. In 2012, the Argentinian set a record with 91 goals in a single calendar year. Despite Barcelona missing out on the Champions League and La Liga titles, Messi still delivered an outstanding season.

2013: Cristiano Ronaldo- 84 goals and assists in 59 matches

2013 Ballon d’Or ceremony - When Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or#ballondor pic.twitter.com/FwIvuj6C2U

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) August 3, 2023

After four years without a Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo ended his drought in 2013, despite Real Madrid going trophyless that season. Madrid finished second in La Liga with 85 points and were knocked out of the Champions League semifinals by Borussia Dortmund. Ronaldo's exceptional individual performance, with 34 goals in La Liga and 12 in the Champions League, earned him the prestigious award.

2014: Cristiano Ronaldo- 81 goals and assists in 60 matches

Real Madrid won their 10th Champions League trophy this season in an impressive semi-final display and finals display. Ronaldo netted 17 goals that season in the Champions League and was the highest goal scorer in the competition that season.

 2015: Lionel Messi- 78 goals and assists in 61 matches

Barcelona went on a treble-winning season with their manager Luis Enrique their second after the one they did in 2009. The Popular attacking trio known as MSN was at their peak during this season capping off an entertaining season with their Champions League final win over Juventus in Berlin, Germany.

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2016: Cristiano Ronaldo- 71 goals and assists in 57 matches

Zidane’s appointment as Real Madrid's manager on January 6 2016 saw the Spanish club improve their performances. This saw them win another Champions League in June of that year losing the La Liga title by a point. What was most memorable about that year was Ronaldo leading Portugal to a first major title in the Euro 2016 against the host and favorites France.

2017: Cristiano Ronaldo- 65 goals and assists in 60 matches

🗓🥇 Cristiano Ronaldo won his 5th Ballon d'Or on this day in 2017. pic.twitter.com/7s60VY6dtm

— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) December 7, 2020

Real Madrid came into this season intending to win every title that came their way and they did just that. Finishing with 93 points on top of the La Liga table Ronaldo scored 35 goals in La Liga and 12 goals in the Champions League to help Madrid secure a double title that season.

2018: Luka Modric- 14 goals and assists in 58 matches

Midfielders rarely receive such honors with Iniesta and Xavi coming extremely close in 2010, Luka Modric had fewer goals and assists compared to other nominees. However, his overall performance that season earned him the award. He was instrumental in Madrid’s third straight Champions League win and led Croatia to a World Cup final that same year that alone was a huge achievement for the player.

Read Also:Top 10 players with the Most goals in a single season

 2019: Lionel Messi-68 goals and assists in 58 matches

Liverpool cannot forget anytime soon who Messi was to them at Camp Nou in the Semi-final of the Champions League that year. His performance that night was an embodiment of what he did consistently that season. He helped Barcelona win La Liga and he finished as the second-highest goal scorer in Europe that season.

2021: Lionel Messi- 61 goals and assists in 61 matches 

🏆 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝟕#BallondOr pic.twitter.com/86beGNBPGh

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 29, 2021

In his final season with Barcelona, Lionel Messi once again captivated the world of football, finishing as La Liga's top scorer with 30 goals and 9 assists. His only trophy that year was the Copa del Rey, secured with a 4-0 victory over Athletic Club, marking the end of an unforgettable era at the club. That was enough to earn him his 7th Ballon d'Or.

2021/2022: Karim Benzema- 65 goals and assists in 56 matches

Here is the image you've all been waiting for! Karim Benzema! #ballondor with @adidasFR pic.twitter.com/TJze0Km1s6

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 17, 2022

Pep Guardiola was set to win his first Champions League at Manchester City when Benzema led a resilient Madrid attack to pull off a comeback that will go down as one of the greatest showdowns in the competition's history.  He helped Madrid do a double that season winning the La Liga and Champions League. He finished as the highest goal scorer in both competitions scoring 27 and 15 respectively

2023: Lionel Messi- 63 goals and assists in 54 matches

Qatar will always hold a special place in Lionel Messi's memory, as it was the stage where he secured the final trophy needed to solidify his status as the greatest player of his generation. Despite his departure from European football, his goal-scoring form continued, yet it was the World Cup victory that earned him his 8th Ballon d'Or. In a season where Erling Haaland claimed a treble and set a Premier League record for most goals in a season, Messi's World Cup triumph was the decisive factor in securing the award.

This year, several contenders are in the race for the crown. The world watches to see if it will be Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, or Mbappé who takes over the mantle of dominance. Only time will tell.