The Ballon d’Or is one of – if not the – most coveted individual prize in football. First introduced in 1956, it was originally created to honour the best player in Europe, before expanding in 1995 to include global stars playing for European clubs. Each year, the iconic golden ball is handed to the standout performer of the past 12 months at a glamorous gala attended by legends of the game, past and present.

But if winning the Ballon d’Or is football’s highest annual honour, imagine lifting a trophy that declares you the best of your entire generation. That’s exactly what happened in 1989, when the Super Ballon d’Or – a prize so rare it’s only been awarded once – crowned Real Madrid icon Alfredo Di Stefano as the greatest player of the previous 30 years, beating out giants Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini.

With the 40th anniversary of that mythical award looming in 2029, we asked Twitter’s AI Grok to rank the top 10 players most deserving of this once-in-a-lifetime honour for their performances over the last four decades – and the results make for fascinating reading.

Related

Ballon d’Or 2026 Power Rankings

Tracking the leading contenders to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2026.

10

Ronaldinho

Notable clubs: Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan

What AI said: “Why? The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldinho dazzled with Barcelona, winning two La Liga titles and a Champions League (2006). His 2002 World Cup contribution and samba flair make him a fan favourite. His peak (2003–2006) was unmatched for spectacle. Challenge: A short peak and post-2006 decline mean his impact spans only a fraction of the 1999-2029 period.”

A Ballon d’Or, Champions League and World Cup winner, Ronaldinho struggled to rediscover the heights of his form after the 2006 World Cup. He was eventually shunted out of Barcelona to make room for a certain Argentinian to blossom. That decision ultimately paid dividends, but there can be no denying the natural talent this genius had in abundance, and every South American that has – and will – come after him will base at least some of their style on his infectious dribbling and playmaking magic, as he finished his career having scored 231 goals and produced 197 assists in 646 appearances.

9

Karim Benzema

Notable clubs: Lyon, Real Madrid

What AI said: “Why? Benzema’s 2022 Ballon d’Or capped a stellar career with five Champions League titles and four La Liga titles at Real Madrid. His 24 trophies, versatility, and 2021 Nations League win with France bolster his resume. Challenge: A single Ballon d’Or and a less iconic global presence compared to Messi or Ronaldo reduce his likelihood.”

A career littered with an abundance of accolades, Karim Benzema developed into one of the great goalscorers in modern times, carrying Real Madrid to the 2021/22 Champions League in the post-Ronaldo era. This triumph added to his collection of five winners’ medals in Europe’s prodigious competition, to compliment his 32 total major honours.

Playing 648 games for Los Blancos and scoring 354 goals, Benzema has to be in the conversation around the greatest French forwards of all time, even if, internationally, he hasn’t had the same claim to fame, as off-field matters left him out of the squad during the triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign.

8

Luka Modric

Notable clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham, Real Madrid

What AI said: “Why? Modric won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, breaking the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, and led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final. His five Champions League titles and playmaking genius with Real Madrid (2012–present) shine. His 2022–2023 performances extend his relevance. Challenge: Only one Ballon d’Or and a less prolific goal-scoring record limit his case against attackers.”

Luka Modric can consider himself the greatest ever Croatian player. Given the superb players they’ve had over the years, that is quite an accolade. His longevity and desire to remain at the top are evident in his 800+ club appearances over the last 24 years.

The midfield master has won six European titles with Real Madrid, but it was his performances for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup – in which his side finished as runners-up – that ended the Messi-Ronaldo dominance of the Ballon d’Or, when he was crowned the world’s best footballer in the same year to become the first to do so outside the aforementioned duopoly in a decade.

7

Gianluigi Buffon

Notable clubs: Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain

What AI said: “Why? One of the greatest goalkeepers ever, Buffon never won a Ballon d’Or but finished second in 2006. His 2006 World Cup triumph with Italy, 10 Serie A titles, and longevity (1995–2023) are remarkable. His reflex-heavy style and near-miss Champions League record could garner sympathy votes. Challenge: Goalkeepers rarely win individual awards, and his lack of a Ballon d’Or is a hurdle.”

An octopus between the posts, Gianluigi Buffon started his burgeoning career with Parma in 1995 – and, remarkably, only stopped playing two years ago, in 2023. In that time, Buffon won almost everything there is to offer, with the only notable exception being the well-documented absence of a Champions League.

But by becoming the most expensive goalkeeper ever when he joined Juventus in 2001, the show-stopper endured a mesmerising playing career. Buffon won a record 12 Serie A goalkeeper of the year awards and 10 league crowns in Turin, and holds the league appearance record with 658 run-outs.

6

Paolo Maldini

Notable clubs: AC Milan

What AI said: “Why? The legendary defender, though never a Ballon d’Or winner, was runner-up in 1995 and third in 2003. Maldini’s five European Cups, seven Serie A titles, and 25-year career with AC Milan (1985–2009) make him a fan favorite. His artistry in defending could appeal to voters seeking positional diversity. Challenge: Lack of a Ballon d’Or and defenders’ historical disadvantage hurt his chances.”

A roaming, technically sound left-back who later evolved into an intelligent and composed centre-back, the refined Italian helped the Rossoneri win 25 trophies, including five Champions Leagues and seven Serie A titles. Famously, he never lifted a trophy with the Azzuri, with his untimely retirement after four World Cup participations seeing him miss out on the 2006 escapades. But as a defender who lived by the notion that “If I have to make a tackle, then I’ve already made a mistake,” Paolo Maldini didn’t need the international accolades to prove he might just be the greatest defender of all time.

5

Marco van Basten

Notable clubs: Ajax, AC Milan

What AI said: “Why? With three Ballon d’Or wins (1988, 1989, 1992), van Basten was a prolific striker for AC Milan, winning three European Cups (pre-Champions League). His technical brilliance and early retirement due to injury (1995) add a romanticized legacy. Challenge: His career ended in the mid-1990s, making his impact less relevant to the 1999–2029 window.”

Marco van Basten is rightly regarded as one of the greatest players to represent the Netherlands and one of the best strikers in football history. The forward won numerous trophies throughout his career, including consecutive Champions League titles with Milan in 1988/89 and 1989/90. As well as winning the league with Milan and Ajax, Van Basten also had success with the Netherlands, lifting the 1988 European Championship trophy.

Along with his success with his respective teams, Van Basten received individual accolades throughout his illustrious career, including three Ballon d’Or trophies, the FIFA Best Men’s Player Award and Dutch Footballer of the Year. Sadly, his career came to an ill-fated end at just 28-years-old (retiring at 31 but not having played for three years during recovery) following a devastating ankle injury.

4

Ronaldo Nazario

Notable clubs: PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan

What AI said: “Why? A two-time Ballon d’Or winner (1997, 2002), R9’s explosive pace and finishing defined the late 1990s and early 2000s. He won the World Cup in 2002 (top scorer) and starred for clubs like Barcelona, Inter, and Real Madrid. His “Phenomenal” nickname and cultural impact endure. Challenge: Injuries limited his longevity, and his prime (1996–2002) covers less of the evaluation period.”

Before Cristiano, there was simply just ‘Ronaldo’. And although a lot of his unbelievable talent was built from the inspiration he got from his predecessor, Romario, perhaps the best weapon in the Rio de Janeiro striker’s artillery was the fact he could find enlightenment from various sources, mould them together, and then become a better version of those who came before him. As a result, O Fenomeno (‘The Phenomenon’) is highly regarded as the most complete forward in the beautiful game’s history.

At the peak of his powers, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner was virtually unplayable, and his ability to shake up the entire back line with one quick turn translated into an astonishing goal tally of 371 in 580 appearances. He won the Ballon d’Or twice, as well as finishing as runner-up in 1996. He also won the World Cup twice, but injuries meant his longevity suffered.

3

Zinedine Zidane

Notable clubs: Bordeuax, Juventus, Real Madrid

What AI said: “Why? Zidane won the Ballon d’Or in 1998, led France to the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, and secured a Champions League title with Real Madrid (2002, iconic volley). His elegance and clutch performances from 1990 to 2006 make him a nostalgic pick for older voters. Challenge: Only one Ballon d’Or and a shorter peak compared to Messi and Ronaldo weaken his case.”

France is a nation of footballing greats. So to be the absolute pinnacle of what the two-time World Champions produced is no easy feat. Unless your name is Zinedine Zidane. Because then, it looks effortless. A winner of both the 1998 Ballon d’Or and World Cup, he secured 13 major titles throughout his career with Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid, recording 125 goals and 140 assists over 689 appearances.

Wearing the number 10 shirt with a trademark panache, Zidane redefined what it meant to play in that role, becoming a blueprint for generations to follow. He had a way of weaving past defenders as if in a trance, leaving them spellbound. Watching him was like entering a world of lucid dreaming, but for his opponents, defending him was like slipping into an unending nightmare.

2

Cristiano Ronaldo

Notable clubs: Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus

What AI said: “Why? Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or wins (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017), five Champions League titles, and league titles in England, Spain, and Italy make him a strong contender. His all-time goal-scoring record (over 900 goals), two major international titles with Portugal (Euro 2016, Nations League 2019), and relentless work ethic resonate with voters. Many consider him the greatest ever, rivaling Messi. Challenge: Fewer Ballon d’Or wins than Messi and a less decisive World Cup impact could sway voters against him.

A champion across three of the biggest leagues in European football. A leader of a nation’s first ever taste of international glory (now something Portugal has achieved three times over). The greatest player in Real Madrid history. All things that can be used to describe the icon that is Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet, that is somehow not enough to be at the top of AI’s ranking.

In a time when his greatest rival was seemingly the single greatest footballer to walk onto the pitch, the fact that Ronaldo was able to get the upper hand in so many different areas is a true testament to his own quality and mind-blowing dedication to the sport. He is the single greatest goalscorer the game has ever seen.

However, only a World Cup triumph would potentially make him the lead contender to become the second recipient of the Super Ballon d’Or after having won the Ballon d’Or five times – the same amount of Champions League mantles he owns.

1

Lionel Messi

Notable clubs: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain

What AI said: “Why? Messi is the clear favorite, with a record eight Ballon d’Or wins (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023), four Champions League titles, 10 La Liga titles, a 2022 World Cup, and two Copa America triumphs. His 91 goals in 2012 and unmatched playmaking set him apart. No player has dominated an era like Messi, and his global fanbase ensures strong voter support. Challenge: Some argue his later career outside Europe (Inter Miami) might dilute his case, but his pre-2023 achievements are overwhelming.”

The thing with Lionel Messi is that everything already said about every player before him on this list can be said about him – and then some. He’s an elite goalscorer and playmaker rolled into one, a World Cup winner, an eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient, and, for all intents and purposes, the greatest footballer not just of his generation, but of all time.

Twelve domestic league titles. Four Champions Leagues. Two Copa Americas. And that’s barely scratching the surface. His list of accomplishments is so long, we could write an entire book just to explain why he deserves the Super Ballon d’Or.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 19/04/2026)