How many times has Messi won the Ballon d’Or? Who has the most of all time?

Inter Miami and Argentina star Lionel Messi is expected to receive the men’s Ballon d’Or yet again when the award is handed out in Paris.

Lionel Messi is widely expected to be announced as the winner of the 2023 men’s Ballon d’Or when the award is presented on Monday.

Messi is the stand-out name on a 30-man shortlist for France Football’s world-player-of-the-year prize - an accolade that he has already received on seven occasions in his illustrious career.

World Cup win should seal deal for Messi

The 36-year-old is being heavily tipped for this year’s award, which takes into account players’ performances during the 2022/23 season, after captaining Argentina to victory at the men’s World Cup in November and December 2022.

The scorer of seven goals in Qatar - just one fewer than the Golden Boot winner, France’s Kylian Mbappé - Messi won the Golden Ball as the best player at the tournament.

Ballon d’Or record holder

Messi’s previous men’s Ballon d’Or wins came in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

No other player in history has received the award as often as the Barcelona legend, who spent a trophy-laden 17 seasons in the Blaugrana first team before leaving for a two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

After Messi, the second-most frequent winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scooped the prize five times: in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Historic Ballon d’Or triumph?

Were Messi to win his eighth Ballon d’Or, the Inter Miami forward would become the first player ever to receive the award while at a non-European club - albeit the honour would have little to do with his achievements since leaving PSG for MLS this summer.

The men’s Ballon d’Or’s international jury of journalists are asked to vote for their winner based on players’ performances during the period between August of the previous year and July of the present year.

While Messi has performed magnificently for Miami, scoring 11 goals in 14 games and leading the Herons to victory in the Leagues Cup, only his first two appearances for the franchise came during the 2023 Ballon d’Or eligibility period

Ballon d’Or gala: when, where, how to watch?

The 2023 Ballon d’Or gala is to take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, on Monday 30 October 2023. The red carpet is scheduled to begin at 2pm ET/11am PT, while the ceremony itself is expected to get underway at 3:45pm ET/12:45pm PT.

Viewers in the United States will be able to enjoy the event on the streaming service Paramount+.

In addition to the men’s and women’s Ballons d’Or, a number of other awards are to be presented at the gala. They include the Kopa Trophy, for the best under-21 men’s player, and the Yashin Trophy, for the best men’s goalkeeper.