who has won the most ballon d or
Ballon d'Or Stanley Matthews of Blackpool was the inaugural winner of the Ballon d'Or.[4] Prior to 1995, the award was often known in English language media as the European Footballer of the Year award. Milan's George Weah, the only African recipient, became the first non-European to win the award in the year that rules of eligibility were changed.[2] Ronaldo of Internazionale became the first South American winner two years later.[2] Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the award a record five times each. Three players have won the award three times each: Johan Cruyff of Ajax and Barcelona, Michel Platini of Juventus and Marco van Basten of Milan. With seven awards each, Dutch and German players won the most Ballons d'Or. Spanish club Barcelona has the most winners, with 11 wins.[5]
Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award Hank Greenberg, Stan Musial, Alex Rodriguez, and Robin Yount have won at different positions,[6] while Rodriguez is the only player who has won the award with two different teams at two different positions.[8] Barry Bonds has won the most often (seven times) and the most consecutively (four: 2001–04).[9] Jimmie Foxx was the first player to win multiple times;[10] 9 players have won three times, and 19 have won twice.[11] Frank Robinson is the only player to win the award in both the American and National Leagues.