This year, the top contenders for the prize are Manchester City’s midfielder and Real Madrid’s forward Vinicius Jr.
The winner is chosen by 100 prominent journalists from FIFA’s top 100 member nations, who each submit their top five picks from a 30-man shortlist announced in September.
Unlike the FIFA: The Best awards, where national team captains vote on their top three players in each category, the Ballon d’Or selection is solely in the hands of journalists…Continue Reading
However, in past years, when the Ballon d’Or was managed by FIFA, players were allowed to vote.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the Ballon d’Or a combined 13 times, often pushing each other to greater heights.
Despite their mutual admiration, neither has ever selected the other as their top pick for an individual honor.
There were no cross-votes for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or until Messi listed Ronaldo in his top three picks in both 2018 and 2019.
The following year, Ronaldo returned the gesture, placing Messi second in his top three for ‘The Best’ award, which ultimately went to Robert Lewandowski.
Unfortunately for Lewandowski, the Ballon d’Or was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the latest FIFA Men’s Best Player award, Messi won over Erling Haaland, placing Haaland at the top of his list alongside Kylian Mbappe and Julian Alvarez.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, chose not to vote in 2022 and 2023, leaving Portugal teammate Pepe to cast votes on his behalf.
Lionel Messi awards voting
Ballon d’Or:
2010: Didn’t vote
2011: Xavi, Iniesta, Aguero
2012: Iniesta, Xavi, Aguero
2013: Iniesta, Xavi, Neymar
2014: Di Maria, Iniesta, Mascherano
2015: Suarez, Neymar, Iniesta
2016: Suarez, Neymar, Iniesta
2017: Suarez, Iniesta, Neymar
2018: Modric, Mbappe, Ronaldo
2019: Mane, Ronaldo, De Jong
2020: Neymar, Mbappe, Lewandowski
2021: Neymar, Mbappe, Benzema
2022: Neymar, Mbappe, Benzema
2023: Haaland, Mbappe, Alvarez
Cristiano Ronaldo awards voting
Ballon d’Or:
2010: Xavi, Casillas, Sneijder
2011: Did not vote
2012: Did not vote
2013: Falcao, Bale, Ozil
2014: Ramos, Bale, Benzema
2015: Benzema, James Rodriguez, Bale
2016: Bale, Modric, Ramos
2017: Modric, Ramos, Marcelo
2018: Varane, Modric, Griezmann
2019: De Ligt, De Jong, Mbappe
2020: Lewandowski, Messi, Mbappe
2021: Lewandowski, Kante, Jorginho
2022: Did not vote
2023: Did not vote
