The Brightest Golden Ball Holders of the 21st Century: The Era of Titans and New Names

The beginning of the 21st century found the Golden Ball already seasoned — the most prestigious individual award in world football has been handed out since 1956. But it was in the new millennium that it truly gained a planetary scale. Two decades turned the ceremony into a show and the struggle for the award into a global event. The list of Golden Ball holders since 2000 is not just a list of names, but a chronicle of the evolution of football. From the era of Brazilian wizards to the eternal confrontation of two geniuses — Messi and Ronaldo — and to the generational change happening right before our eyes.

The Golden Ball in the 21st Century: The Full List of Winners

From 2000 to 2025, the award was received by 19 different footballers (taking into account that the award was not handed out in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Here is the full chronological list:

2000 — Luís Figo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
2001 — Michael Owen (England, Liverpool)
2002 — Ronaldo (Brazil, Real Madrid)
2003 — Pavel Nedvěd (Czech Republic, Juventus)
2004 — Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine, Milan)
2005 — Ronaldinho (Brazil, Barcelona)
2006 — Fabio Cannavaro (Italy, Real Madrid)
2007 — Kaka (Brazil, Milan)
2008 — Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United)
2009 — Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
2010 — Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2011 — Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2012 — Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2013 — Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2014 — Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2015 — Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2016 — Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2017 — Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2018 — Luka Modrić (Croatia, Real Madrid)
2019 — Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2020 — not awarded
2021 — Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
2022 — Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)
2023 — Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
2024 — Rodrigo (Spain, Manchester City)
2025 — Usman Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

The Era of Messi and Ronaldo: 13 Golden Balls Between Them

The list of Golden Ball holders in the 21st century clearly divides into two eras: before and after 2008. The turning point was 2008, when Cristiano Ronaldo first received the award, and the following year it was taken by Lionel Messi. The decade began with the dominance of two football geniuses, unparalleled in the history of sports. From 2008 to 2019, they won 11 Golden Balls in a row (excluding 2018, when Modrić won the trophy), and together they have 13 awards. Messi is the record holder with 8 Golden Balls. Ronaldo has 5.

This era became the time when football first truly gained global superstars, comparable in influence to movie or music icons. Their confrontation on the field, club changes, record chases — all this turned the Golden Ball into the main football drama of the decade. If Messi embodied natural genius, a game woven from intuition and magic, then Ronaldo became the symbol of superhuman effort, discipline, and the will to win.

Bright Flashes Before the Era of Dominance

But the Golden Ball of the 21st century also remembers other bright names that shone before Messi and Ronaldo took control of the trophy.

Ronaldo (2002): the return of a phenomenon

The Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo, who won his second Golden Ball in 2002, became a symbol of triumphant return. After serious injuries that almost ended his career, he led the Brazilian national team to victory at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, scoring two goals in the final. This victory was not just a sporting achievement — it was a story of how will and talent can overcome the most difficult trials.

Ronaldinho (2005): a smile that conquered the world

In 2005, the Golden Ball went to Ronaldinho — perhaps the most aesthetic footballer in history. He was not just a player, but an artist. His dribbling, tricks, incredible goals, and the constant smile on his face made him the idol of millions. Ronaldinho reminded the world that football is first and foremost a game and joy. His Golden Ball became a symbol of that very "spark" without which great sport turns into boring mechanics.

Kaka (2007): the last Brazilian genius

In 2007, the award went to Kaka — an elegant, swift attacking midfielder for Milan. He became the last Brazilian to receive the Golden Ball before Messi and Ronaldo took over. Kaka embodied classic Brazilian skill combined with European discipline. His victory became a beautiful point at the end of an entire era.

Andriy Shevchenko (2004) and Pavel Nedvěd (2003): the European character

The beginning of the century is also remembered for the victories of European forwards who were not global stars but demonstrated incredible stability and character. In 2004, the Golden Ball went to Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko — a powerful, technical striker for Milan. A year earlier, Czech Pavel Nedvěd, a Juventus midfielder, known for his incredible work ethic and long-range strikes. These victories were recognized not so much for brilliance as for fundamentality and dedication to the cause.

The New Generation: From Modrić to Dembélé

After a decade of dominance by Messi and Ronaldo, a new era began. In 2018, the Golden Ball unexpectedly went to Croatian Luka Modrić — a midfielder who led his national team to the World Cup final. This was a triumph of intelligence and team play over individual statistics.

In 2022, the award went to Karim Benzema — another representative of Real, who had long remained in the shadow of Ronaldo but showed at the peak of his career that he could lead the team.

2024 brought the victory of Rodrigo — the Spanish defensive midfielder for Manchester City, who became the symbol of a new, more systematic and pragmatic era in football.

Finally, in 2025, the Golden Ball went to Usman Dembélé. The French winger for Paris Saint-Germain became the first player in 30 years to win the award in his debut nomination. His victory is a signal: the generation of Messi and Ronaldo is finally gone, and new heroes are stepping onto the stage.

What Makes a Golden Ball Winner Stand Out

The "brightness" of a Golden Ball winner is a subjective concept. For some, it is goals and records, for others, the aesthetics of play, for others, charisma and influence on football. But in the 21st century, a clear criterion has been established: to win the award, you need not just be the best in your position, but become a symbol of the whole season, and sometimes an entire era.

Messi and Ronaldo have set an unreachable bar, making the Golden Ball not just an award but a reflection of global football culture. Their 13 trophies between them are a record that is unlikely to be broken in the foreseeable future. But new names — Dembélé, Yamal, Rodrigo — are already bursting into history, and who knows, maybe the next decade will bring us a new great confrontation. The Golden Ball continues to live, and every winner in the 21st century is not just a footballer, but part of a great legend.

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