Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has ensured that Argentina is one of the top countries with the most Ballon d’Or wins in history.
The 34-year-old Argentine forward is the outright Ballon d’Or record holder with an incredible six wins to his name.
Messi, who is currently a free agent after his Barcelona deal expired in June, won four consecutive Ballon d’Ors from 2009.
The Argentina captain lifted his fifth award in 2015 before breaking his deadlock with Cristiano Ronaldo (on five) to win his record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or.
Now, FootyRoom has produced an infographic that reveals Argentina are tied with France on six for countries with the most Ballon d’Or wins in history.
Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands top the pile with seven Ballon d’Or wins apiece.
Ronaldo leads the way for his country with his five Ballon d’Ors, with Portugal legends Luis Figo and Eusebio providing the remaining two.
Dutch icon Johan Cruyff and Ajax and AC Milan legend Marco van Basten are on three apiece, with Ruud Gullit completing the Netherlands’ seven-Ballon d’Or haul.
Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won two Ballon d’Ors apiece, with Gerd Muller, Lothar Matthaus and Matthias Sammer completing the list for Germany.
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| Credit: PA |
Italy also made the list with five Ballon d’Or wins, but it is worth noting that Brazil have won the same number of awards.
Argentina could end up equalling Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands for most Ballon d’Or wins before the end of 2021, with Messi the leading favourite to win his seventh award.
Messi’s bid for France Football’s coveted prize was boosted after leading Argentina to the Copa America trophy this summer.
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| Credit: PA |
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has insisted that Messi is now the “prime candidate for the Ballon d’Or.”
He told Barcelona’s official website in July: “He is vitally important. For what he brings to the team, he’s the captain and an example.
“His goalscoring has been brilliant despite a difficult start. He has shown time and again he is the best in the world.
“I know how much he wanted to win the Copa America and he has done it at last.
“Messi is the prime candidate for the Ballon d’Or after a great season and, for me, he is the favourite.”
Featured Image Credit: PA