From Leo Messi to Aitana Bonmati: Barça, total dominator of the Ballon d'Or

The Masia has gone back to stand out in the delivery of the Balloon of Gold. The past Monday, in the prestigious event organised by the magazine 'France Football' in Paris, witnessed an iconic image in which two footballers formed in the FC Barcelona, Leo Messi and Aitana Bonmatí, raised the award that rewards to the best players of the moment. This confirms once again the overwhelming superiority of the system of Basic Strengths of the Barça, that has attained a total of 11 Balloons of Gold.

Aitana Bonmatí and Leo Messi, the Balloons of gold. pic.twitter.com/mn3zkenfow

— Diego Borinsky (@diegoborinsky) October 30, 2023

In 11 occasions, a player formed by the Catalan cast has obtained this distinction, being 'The Flea' the most stood out with eight conquests (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023). They follow him Alexia Putellas (2021 and 2022) and now Aitana Bonmatí in 2023. This data contrasts with the quarry of the Real Madrid, known as 'The Factory', that recently has been recognised like which more players contributes to the five European leagues, but still has not attained to produce a winner of the Balloon of Gold.

But this is not everything, The Masia also has made history when attaining hoard the podium of the Balloon of Gold in an opportunity. In 2010, Leo Messi (Gold), Andrés Iniesta (Silver) and Xavi Hernández (Bronze) occupy you the sitiales of honour in this magno contest, something that any another system of inferior divisions has attained up to now.

The Barça, total leader in podiums in the Balloon of Gold

Speaking of podiums, the FC Barcelona also has surpassed to the Real Madrid like the club that has planted to more players of his quarry in the places of honour of this prestigious prize, with a total of 22. In addition to the 11 Balloons of Gold mentioned previously, the Argentinian star has added five Balloons of Silver (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017), one of bronze (2007), Andrés Iniesta has obtained a Balloon of Silver (2010) and one of bronze (2012), and Xavi Hernández has obtained three Balloons of Bronze (2009, 2010, 2011).

By his part, the cast merengue, without any winner of gold in his rows, only has attained to position to one of his canteranos in the podium in three occasions. The nearest was Raúl González White in 2001, when it obtained the Balloon of Silver, being surpassed this year by Michael Owen. Previously, Emilio Butragueño had obtained the Balloon of Bronze in 1986 and 1987.

The Barcelona have arrasado in the premiación of this award

Besides, the FC Barcelona can boast to be the quarry more laureada to international level. Aunado To the 22 podiums mentioned previously, only the Sporting of Portugal approaches with 13 podiums, promoted by the 12 of Cristiano Ronaldo (5 golds, 5 silvers and 2 bronzes) and the gold of an exjugador of the Barça, Luis Figo. They follow him the Bayern with 13 and the Ajax with 12, what confirms that The Masia keeps on being more notable that never.

Finally, it is important to stand out that the Catalan cast is the club with more winners of the Balloon of Gold with 15. From the first prize obtained by Luis Suárez Miramontes in 1960, have followed Johan Cruyff (1973 and 1974), Hristo Stoichkov (1994), Rivaldo (1999), Ronaldinho (2005), Leo Messi (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019), remembering that his two last Balloons of Gold won them with other clubs, to the equal that Ronaldo (1997) and Luis Figo (2000). The Barcelona register complete with Alexia Putellas (2021 and 2022) and Aitana Bonmati (2023).