Ballon d’Or Betting Odds

The Ballon d’Or is one of the most infamous awards in football, with a variation being awarded to both men’s and women’s players. A variety of other awards are distributed on the night, too, including the Gerd Müller Trophy, which is awarded to the top scorer of the year, and the Club of the Year award.

Another standout aspect of the Ballon d’Or awards night is its accessibility, with the entire event being streamed for free on YouTube and various other platforms, making it a spectacle that highlights key individuals in the most popular sport in the world. It typically takes place in late September or early October each year, which allows the previous season to fully conclude while also getting a peak of the player's ability in the current footballing year.

If you want to bet on the Ballon d'Or 2026 online, BetVictor is the place to be. We have a huge range of Ballon d'Or odds to choose from, including options for all players who have been nominated for this prestigious award. You can also find a variety of bonuses over on the offers page, many of which can be used by both new and existing customers when betting on the Ballon d'Or 2026!

The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious individual award in football, recognising the world’s best player each year. France Football magazine has presented this golden trophy annually since 1956 for men's football, while the women's competition began much later in 2018 with the Ballon d'Or Féminin.

Stanley Matthews of England became the first winner in 1956, setting the stage for decades of athletic excellence and recognition. This coveted award represents the highest achievement any footballer can reach, celebrating outstanding sportsmanship and performance on the global stage.

Lionel Messi dominates the record books with an incredible 8 Ballon d'Or wins, while his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo follows with 5 victories. Several legendary athletes have claimed multiple honours, including Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten, each securing 3 trophies throughout their careers.

Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo Nazario, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Kevin Keegan, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge all earned the distinction twice. Ada Hegerberg from Norway made history as the first Ballon d'Or Féminin champion in 2018, while 2020 remains the only year without a winner due to the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting the football calendar.

Choosing the Ballon d'Or winner follows a structured voting process that involves journalists from around the world. An international jury consists of one journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked men's nations and top 50 women's nations.

Each juror receives a list of 30 nominees and must select 10 players in order of preference. Points get distributed based on ranking: first place receives 15 points, second gets 12 points, third earns 10 points, fourth receives 8 points, fifth gets 7 points, sixth earns 5 points, seventh receives 4 points, eighth gets 3 points, ninth earns 2 points, and tenth receives 1 point.

Judges evaluate nominees based on three main criteria that determine the award winner. Individual performance and decisive character form the first criterion, focusing on how players impact games through skill and leadership.

Team performance and achievements make up the second criterion, examining success with clubs and national teams. Class and fair play represent the third factor for judging, considering sportsmanship and conduct on the field.

Artificial intelligence now plays a role in analysing potential winners, helping predict outcomes based on performance data. Tie-breakers follow a clear system: officials count first-place votes first, then second-place votes, and continue down the ranking until they break the tie.

Winners receive original trophies produced specifically for each category annually, and winners keep their awards permanently. Recognition brings no direct cash prize, but winning often leads to club bonuses, lucrative sponsorship deals, and increased market value for players. Of course, it also comes with bragging rights, as the chosen player is being voted as the best in the world based on the three main criteria.

Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d'Or after a standout season for Paris Saint-Germain. He finished as the top Ligue 1 goalscorer, while also being named Ligue 1 Player of the Year and the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.

Here's a look at the most recent Ballon d'Or winners from the last decade, alongside the players who finish in second and third:

Along with our vast selection of player betting and specials, we’ve additional Premier League Betting Specials incorporating everything from team-specific specials such as how many Premier League goals they will score and who will finish as the club’s top scorer, along with a raft of other odds and markets including Top 4 Finish, Top 6 Finish, Top Goalscorer, Relegation Treble, Lowest Scoring Team and Without The Big Six.

Football might be a team game, but when it comes to the players themselves, they’ll always have one eye on the individual accolades. And they don’t come any bigger than the crowning of the best player in the world; the Ballon d’Or. 

At BetVictor, we’ll be bringing you the best Ballon d’Or Odds throughout the season and in the run-up to the showpiece ceremony in December.

Initially conceived by France football, the Ballon d’Or is the award for the best footballer in the world of that year. With the awards ceremony in December, it also includes the award for the best female footballer (Ballon d’Or Feminin), the best goalkeeper (Yashin Trophy) and the best young player (Kopa Trophy).

• Ballon d'Or: Best Male Footballer
• Ballon d'Or Feminin: Best female footballer
• Yashin Trophy: Best goalkeeper
• Kopa Trophy: Best young player under 21 

Another award is the Gerd Muller Trophy for the top scorer and Coach of the Year award, which has been introduced in recent years.

As of 2025 Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or wins with eight (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023). Cristiano Ronaldo has five wins (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Messi's additional wins since 2019 have further widened the gap.

The Ballon d’Or has been awarded every year since 1956, including a period between 2010 and 2015 when it was merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year. It was initially awarded for players from Europe, expanded in 1995 to include players of any origin playing in Europe, then finally in 2007 for players across the globe. 

The inaugural winner was Sir Stanley Matthews of Blackpool, with other English winners down the years including Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan (twice while at Hamburg), and Michael Owen. 

Since 2008, the standings have been dominated by two men, Messi and Ronaldo. Messi has eight and Ronaldo five, with 2018 the only year since that either hasn’t taken the crown, Madrid’s Luka Modric winning. 

Behind the Messi/Ronaldo dominance, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten all have three with Brazilian Ronaldo, Alfredo di Stefano, and Keegan all on two.

Alongside our Ballon d’Or Odds, we offer a range of other Football Betting markets. With our Player Transfer Specials, you can bet on the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year. We also provide an array of Manager Betting Specials, where you can bet on markets like Next Permanent Manager and Next Manager To Leave. 

And let us not forget our Football Odds for competitions around the world. Find markets on the Premier League, Champions League, World Cup, Esports FIFA Football Betting and much more on our Sportsbook. 

Join BetVictor today to access our Ballon d’Or Betting markets and Football Odds. New customers can even claim our Sports Welcome Offer, which rewards you with £30 in Free Bets when you join and bet your first £10.

If you want to bet on the Ballon d'Or winner online with us at BetVictor, you can use this straightforward guide to get started in just a few steps:

1. Sign in to your BetVictor account. For anyone who isn't registered with us already, simply click or tap on the 'Sign Up' button in the top right corner of your screen and fill in the various fields that pop up. You can then verify your details and make a deposit to bet on the Ballon d'Or online with real funds.
2. Head to the sports betting page and click on the football betting option.
3. Click on the 'Specials' tab that appears at the top of the catalogue and then on the 'Ballon d'Or Winner' market.
4. Scroll down the list and tap on the player you think will win the 2026 iteration of the Ballon d'Or to add them to your bet slip.
5. All that's left to do then is type in a stake size that aligns with your preferences and confirm the wager. You can then enjoy the event through one of the many streaming platforms that it's available on, and if your bet is successful, it will be immediately awarded the corresponding Ballon d'Or odds.

Before you place a bet on the Ballon d'Or 2026, be sure to check out the BetVictor offers page for a huge selection of bonuses. Many of these bonus offers can be used across all sports betting markets, including on the Ballon d'Or, with options being available to both new and existing BetVictor customers!