BALLON D'OR
Which clubs have won the most men’s Ballon d’Or awards?
Inter Miami become the first non-European team to see their player crowned the best on the planet after Lionel Messi’s historic eighth triumph.
It was a gala night for Major League Soccer as Inter Miami star Lionel Messi became the first player from a team outside of Europe to win the Ballon d’Or.
The 36-year-old was recognised for leading Argentina to a historic World Cup triumph last December, the crowning moment of his incredible career. He spent the vast majority of his career at Barcelona, where he picked up the first seven of his record Ballon d’Or titles.
2023 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony: Get all of the updated information here live online
Real Madrid and Barcelona lead the men’s Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or is indeed regarded as an individual accolade. However, Inter Miami now joins the prestigious list of teams whose player has won the award for the best men’s player of the year presented by France Football. The inaugural gala was held in 1956, but it was exclusively for Europeans until 1995. Across that 68-year history the most successful clubs are FC Barcelona (12), Real Madrid (12), AC Milan (8), Juventus (8), Bayern Munich (5), Manchester United (4), and Inter Milan (2) are among those whose players have clinched the award at some point.
Messi spent the past year with Inter Miami and Paris Saint-Germain, meaning that they now join the likes of Benfica, Dynamo Moscow, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Blackpool with one Ballon d’Or win.
Messi’s Ballon d’Or win a boost for Inter Miami
OK, let’s be clear here. The Argentine’s eighth Ballon d’Or is more to do with Messi’s international exploits than anything he achieved with PSG or Miami.
That said, having a Ballon d’Or winner not only enhances the reputation of the team that possesses the player but could also ve a significant commercial boost. David Beckham’s franchise is currently valued at slightly over $600 million, a figure that could nearly double in the coming year, largely due to the Messi effect.
Messi’s arrival in the MLS has been a game-changer in for the soccer in the United States. A sport that was once considered a minority interest, MLS has become a global phenomenon since the arrival of Messi.
The 36-year-old’s historic triumph only increases his value to the team and to the league.