Football is a sport of legends, and each year the world comes together to recognize the greatest individual performer through FIFA’s flagship award. Today known as The Best FIFA Men’s Player, this award has undergone several evolutions since its inception but remains one of the highest honors a footballer can receive.
Origins of the Award
The award was officially launched in 1991 as the FIFA World Player of the Year, created to rival France Football’s prestigious Ballon d’Or. Unlike the Ballon d’Or — which was initially restricted to European players — FIFA’s award opened recognition to footballers worldwide. Voting was carried out by national team coaches and captains, as well as selected journalists.
Between 2010 and 2015, FIFA merged its award with the Ballon d’Or to create the FIFA Ballon d’Or, a joint honor. However, due to disagreements between FIFA and France Football, the partnership ended in 2016. From then on, FIFA relaunched the award under a new brand: The Best FIFA Men’s Player.
Full List of Winners (1991–2025)
FIFA World Player of the Year (1991–2009)
- 1991 – Lothar Matthäus (Germany 🇩🇪, Inter Milan) – Midfielder
- 1992 – Marco van Basten (Netherlands 🇳🇱, AC Milan) – Forward
- 1993 – Roberto Baggio (Italy 🇮🇹, Juventus) – Forward/Playmaker
- 1994 – Romário (Brazil 🇧🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
- 1995 – George Weah (Liberia 🇱🇷, AC Milan) – Forward
- 1996 – Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil 🇧🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
- 1997 – Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil 🇧🇷, Inter Milan) – Forward
- 1998 – Zinedine Zidane (France 🇫🇷, Juventus) – Midfielder
- 1999 – Rivaldo (Brazil 🇧🇷, Barcelona) – Midfielder/Forward
- 2000 – Zinedine Zidane (France 🇫🇷, Juventus) – Midfielder
- 2001 – Luís Figo (Portugal 🇵🇹, Real Madrid) – Midfielder
- 2002 – Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil 🇧🇷, Real Madrid) – Forward
- 2003 – Zinedine Zidane (France 🇫🇷, Real Madrid) – Midfielder
- 2004 – Ronaldinho (Brazil 🇧🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
- 2005 – Ronaldinho (Brazil 🇧🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
- 2006 – Fabio Cannavaro (Italy 🇮🇹, Real Madrid) – Defender
- 2007 – Kaká (Brazil 🇧🇷, AC Milan) – Midfielder
- 2008 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal 🇵🇹, Manchester United) – Forward
- 2009 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
FIFA Ballon d’Or (2010–2015, joint with France Football)
- 2010 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
- 2011 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
- 2012 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
- 2013 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal 🇵🇹, Real Madrid) – Forward
- 2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal 🇵🇹, Real Madrid) – Forward
- 2015 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
The Best FIFA Men’s Player (2016–Present)
- 2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal 🇵🇹, Real Madrid) – Forward
- 2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal 🇵🇹, Real Madrid) – Forward
- 2018 – Luka Modrić (Croatia 🇭🇷, Real Madrid) – Midfielder
- 2019 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Barcelona) – Forward
- 2020 – Robert Lewandowski (Poland 🇵🇱, Bayern Munich) – Forward
- 2021 – Robert Lewandowski (Poland 🇵🇱, Bayern Munich) – Forward
- 2022 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Paris Saint-Germain) – Forward
- 2023 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Inter Miami) – Forward
- 2024 – Lionel Messi (Argentina 🇦🇷, Inter Miami) – Forward
- 2025 – Winner yet to be announced
Records and Legacy
- Most Wins: Lionel Messi leads with 8 FIFA awards (if including FIFA World Player + FIFA Ballon d’Or + The Best).
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 5-time winner, consistently in the top three during the 2010s.
- Brazilian Dominance (1990s–2000s): Brazil has produced the most FIFA award winners overall.
- Club Legacy: FC Barcelona and Real Madrid dominate as the clubs producing the most award winners.
The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award remains a global benchmark of football excellence, honoring not just talent, but also consistency, leadership, and influence in the world’s most beloved game.
