Top 10 players with the most Ballon d'Or votes in football history

#8 Michel Platini - 551 votes

Michel Platini playing against AS Roma for Juventus in 1986

The current generation is only aware of Michel Platini as the controversial UEFA president banned from all football-related activity in 2015 due to ethical violations. However, back in the day, the Frenchman was one of the greatest footballers of his generation.

He won three Ballon d'Or awards between 1983 and 1985 and was by far the best footballer in the world at the time. An attacking midfielder by trade, Platini's eye for a pass was one of his standout attributes, while he was also deadly from set-pieces and hailed as one of the best penalty takers of all time.

Having won several accolades with Nancy, Saint-Etienne and Juventus, Platini also spearheaded France to the European Championships in 1983 and finished his career with 551 Ballon d'Or votes to his name.

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#7 Franz Beckenbauer - 576 votes

Franz Beckenbauer is one of Germany's finest ever footballers

Hailed as "Der Kaiser" in Germany for his elegance and ability on the ball, Franz Beckenbauer is one of the greatest defenders in the game's history. He revolutionized the role of a ball-playing center back and set the standard for defenders during his time with Bayern Munich and West Germany.

Beckenbauer won two Ballon d'Or awards in 1972 and 1976 and the FIFA World Cup in 1974 with West Germany. The legendary defender also got his hands on football's biggest prize as a manager, as he spearheaded West Germany to World Cup glory in 1990 from the touchline.

Several modern-day players cite Beckenbauer as an inspiration, who retired in 1983 with 576 Ballon d'Or votes to his name.

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#6 Ronaldo Nazario - 600 points

Ronaldo Nazario represented Real Madrid and Barcelona

Despite winning two Ballon d'Or awards, Ronaldo Nazario's career could've reached greater heights. The Brazilian superstar is hailed as the most talented footballers of all-time, as he burst onto the scene as a teenager and took world football by storm.

A deadly finisher inside the penalty area, El Fenomeno's pace and explosion on the ball was quite the sight back in the day, while he also had the uncanny ability of beating the goalkeeper before putting the ball into an empty net.

Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or in 1997 and 2002 and had a successful career for club and country, as he also lifted the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002. The legendary striker represented PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan amongst others before hanging up his boots in 2011.

Throughout his career, he amassed 600 Ballon d'Or votes and is sure to be remembered as one of the game's greats.

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#5 Virgil van Dijk - 679 votes

Virgil van Dijk transformed the Liverpool defense since joining in 2018

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is one of the greatest defenders of his generation, and recent news about his ACL injury has rocked Reds fans across the world. However, the Dutchman makes the list and is the only player in the top ten to have not won the Ballon d'Or.

Having lost out to Lionel Messi in the 2019 edition of the award, Van Dijk capped off a stunning campaign on a personal level by winning the PFA and UEFA Player of the Year awards, as he cemented his status as one of the best in the business.

With a staggering 679 votes last year, the 29-year-old finished higher on the 2019 Ballon d'Or standings than Cristiano Ronaldo, as he went close to becoming the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to win the award.

Van Dijk's ACL injury is grim news for Liverpool and the Netherlands, but the towering defender is one of the greatest athletes around and should be back to his best in the coming months.

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