Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? PSG star Ousmane Dembele picks the greatest Ballon d’Or winner of all time
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the face of global soccer for more than two decades. Their sustained presence at the top of the game has made them idols for newer generations of players. Now, Paris Saint-Germain star and Ballon d’Or 2025 favorite Ousmane Dembele has weighed in on the debate.
In a recent interview with the official Ballon d’Or account, Dembele took part in a game where he had to choose his favorite from a list of past winners. Each time the French winger made a selection, that player would go up against the next on the list, and so on.
“Kaka or Luka Modric?” was the first question — to which Ousmane picked Kaka. Then, in a battle of Brazilians, Ronaldinho got the nod. “Ronaldinho or Benzema?” was next. “Ah, it’s tough,” said the PSG player. “The 2021–22 season from Benzema was incredible. For his career path, I’ll say Benzema.”
Dembele and Karim Benzema were teammates for the French national team in several matches between 2021 and 2022, which also explains the level of respect he showed for the Al Ittihad star. They were both part of the France squad at Euro 2021, where the team was eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16.
However, Benzema didn’t stay at the top for long, as the next name introduced was Ronaldo Nazario — who not only knocked Karim out but also won out over other icons like Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini. The one who eventually overtook R9 was another French legend: Zinedine Zidane.
Dembele chooses between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
With Zinedine Zidane selected, Dembele neared the end of the game. After the French legend, only two Ballon d’Or winners remained: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. First, CR7 edged out Zidane — a decision that saw Ousmane hesitate briefly.
Then came the final question: “Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?” But here, unlike earlier choices, Dembele didn’t hesitate. With complete certainty, he gave his answer: “Messi.” The choice makes sense, considering the shared history between Leo and Ousmane, who were teammates at Barcelona from 2017 to 2021.
Moreover, Dembele has made his admiration for Messi clear every time he’s had the chance. “I grew up watching FC Barcelona, so naturally, Leo Messi is the greatest for me. He’s a player who inspires me — he’s unique! I’m very happy and proud to have played with him,” Dembele said recently. After facing him again in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with PSG against Inter Miami, he called him “the greatest of all time.”
Who is the player with the most Ballon d’Or wins in history?
It’s no coincidence that the final two names in the Ballon d’Or’s social media challenge were Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They are the two players with the most Ballon d’Or wins in history: Leo leads with eight, while CR7 trails with five.
Other players to have won the Ballon d’Or more than once include Michel Platini (3), Johan Cruyff (3), Marco van Basten (3), Franz Beckenbauer (2), Ronaldo Nazario (2), Alfredo Di Stefano (2), Kevin Keegan (2), and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (2).
None of the 30 finalists for the 2025 edition has won the Ballon d’Or before, so whoever is chosen will not join the list of multiple-time winners — at least not yet. Among the favorites, Ousmane Dembele has an edge due to Paris Saint-Germain’s collective success, particularly their UEFA Champions League title. However, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is also being mentioned as a potential winner.