Throughout its history, Real Madrid has been home to some of the greatest players in world football, several of whom have lifted the Ballon d’Or, the game’s most prestigious individual award. Yet not all of them achieved it while wearing the famous white shirt — and only a select few have done so in recent years.

Who Was the Last Real Madrid Player to Win It?

The most recent Real Madrid star to claim the Ballon d’Or was Karim Benzema in 2022. The French striker delivered one of the most memorable seasons in the club’s modern history, leading the team with goals and decisive performances on their way to winning the Champions League, LaLiga, and the Spanish Super Cup. His influence in attack was total, cementing his role as the leader after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

What Earned Him the Award?

During the 2021/22 campaign, Benzema scored over 40 official goals, including unforgettable nights in the Champions League. He hit a hat trick against PSG, another against Chelsea, and a brace versus Manchester City, spearheading Madrid’s run to their record 14th European Cup. These performances, combined with his consistency in LaLiga, made his Ballon d’Or triumph undeniable — the first for a Frenchman since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.

Who Else Has Won It Recently at Madrid?

Before Benzema, Luka Modrić won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, breaking the long-running dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. That year, the Croatian was a World Cup finalist with his national team and a key figure in Madrid’s Champions League triumph.

Further back, Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the trophy as a Madrid player in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, becoming one of the club’s all-time legends. In earlier decades, icons such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Raymond Kopa, Luis Figo, Ronaldo Nazário, and Fabio Cannavaro also won the award while representing Real Madrid.