Despite producing some of the greats of the game in recent years and one of the best international sides of all time between 2008 and 2012, there have been surprisingly few male Spanish Ballon d’Or winners.
The likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta were not rewarded for their brilliance with the award, but La Roja did end a 64 year wait for a men’s Ballon d’Or triumph in 2024.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is also a very strong candidate to win it in the future. That might even be as soon as 2025, with Canadian betting sites suggesting the teenager is one of the early favourites to be next year’s recipient.
It’s a different story in the women’s game though and Spanish players have totally dominated the Ballon d’Or Feminin in recent years.
Spanish Ballon d’Or winners
| Player | Year(s) of Ballon d’Or win |
| Alfredo Di Stefano | 1957, 1959 |
| Luis Suarez | 1960 |
| Rodri | 2024 |
Alfredo Di Stefano (1957, 1959)
Although he was born in Argentina, Alfredo Di Stefano became a Spanish citizen in 1956 and went on to represent the Spanish national team 31 times, scoring 23 goals.
It was Di Stefano’s inspirational performances for Real Madrid that resulted in him picking up the Ballon d’Or in both 1957 and 1959 though. Di Stefano scored in each of the first five European Cup finals as Los Blancos won the trophy on each occasion, starting the Spanish club’s love affair with the competition.
Di Stefano was also the first player to win the Ballon d’Or twice, with no player matching his feat until Johan Cruyff in the 1970’s.
Luis Suarez (1960)
Galician-born Luis Suarez started his career at hometown club Deportivo La Coruña, but would reach the elite level during a six year spell for Barcelona between 1955 and 1961.
He was largely responsible for ending Real Madrid’s dominant run of European Cup glory, with two goals at the Bernabeu in 1960 as Barcelona edged out their bitter rivals on aggregate, before ultimately succumbing in the final against Benfica.
Suarez departed Barcelona to play in Italy the year after his Ballon d’Or win and at the time of his death in January 2024, he remained the only Spanish-born man to have ever picked up the trophy.
Rodri (2024)
Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, combined with his importance in Manchester City’s latest Premier League title success, meant that Rodri always looked like one of the outstanding candidates to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
While he faced stiff competition from Real Madrid’s Vincius Junior and Jude Bellingham, the midfielder won the most votes and claimed “It’s not a victory for me but for Spanish football” after winning a prize so many of his great compatriots over the years have missed out on.
It was also a win for a different type of player, with his ability to dictate the play from deep, rather than rack up loads of goals and assists, setting him apart from recent recipients.
Spanish Ballon d’Or Feminin winners
| Player | Year(s) of Ballon d’Or win |
| Alexia Putellas | 2021, 2022 |
| Aitana Bonmati | 2023, 2024 |
Alexia Putellas (2021, 2022)
The women’s Ballon d’Or is in its infancy by comparison, having only been awarded on six occasions so far.
Barcelona players have won it in each of the last four years, with Alexia Putellas claiming the crown in 2021 and 2022. Along with fellow Spain international Jenni Hermoso, she was the driving force behind Barcelona’s first UEFA Women’s Champions League win in 2021.
Aitana Bonmati (2023, 2024)
Midfielder Aitana Bonmati was also a part of the Barca side that made history in the 2020/21 season, and she has since taken over Putellas’ mantle as the best player in the world today.
A 2023 World Cup winner with Spain, she also fired in six goals and six assists in the 2023/24 Champions League as Barca won the competition for the third time, sealing back-to-back Ballon d’Or successes for the 26-year-old.
