Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated world football for over a decade, winning multiple Ballon d'Or awards, the most prestigious individual honor a footballer can receive. But who holds more Ballon d'Ors,

Which players side with CR7?

Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 — the start of a four-year streak of taking the top prize. He was first nominated in 2006. Messi and Ronaldo turned the competition into a near-two-way contest during the peak of their careers — winning it a combined 13 times from 2008. Ronaldo's first nomination was 2004.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d'Or awards but an alternative list of winners has emerged.

For the first time since 2003, this year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist does not include the two record winners. Between them, Messi and Ronaldo have won 13 Ballon d’Or awards, with the Argentine taking eight. That includes a run of four consecutive awards from 2009 to 2012.

Cristiano Ronaldo appears to suggest that he is no longer interested in his race with Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or Award, turning his attention to team glory.

Leonardo Bonucci is regarded as one of the finest centre-backs of his generation. The Italian, who declared his retirement in May, played at the elite level for both his club and national team, encountering some of the most formidable forwards in the sport.