The Guardian 100 Best Male Footballers in the World is a list of the current best male footballers published annually by the British newspaper The Guardian. From its inception to 2017, it was known as The Guardian 100 Best Footballers in the World. It is decided by a panel of experts from several nations. Argentine player Lionel Messi is the record winner of the award with 6 wins.

Winners

Argentine legend Lionel Messi has won the award a record 6 times overall.
YearPlayerClub
2012Argentina Lionel MessiRoyal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
2013Argentina Lionel Messi (2)Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
2014Portugal Cristiano RonaldoRoyal Spanish Football Federation Real Madrid
2015Argentina Lionel Messi (3)Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
2016Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo (2)Royal Spanish Football Federation Real Madrid
2017Argentina Lionel Messi (4)Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
2018Croatia Luka ModrićRoyal Spanish Football Federation Real Madrid
2019Argentina Lionel Messi (5)Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
2020Poland Robert LewandowskiGerman Football Association Bayern Munich
2021Poland Robert Lewandowski (2)German Football Association Bayern Munich
2022Argentina Lionel Messi (6)French Football Federation Paris Saint-Germain
2023Norway Erling HaalandThe Football Association Manchester City
2024Royal Spanish Football Federation RodriThe Football Association Manchester City
2025French Football Federation Ousmane DembéléFrench Football Federation Paris Saint-Germain

Wins by player

PlayerWins
Argentina Lionel Messi6
Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo2
Poland Robert Lewandowski2
Norway Erling Haaland1
Croatia Luka Modrić1
Royal Spanish Football Federation Rodri1
French Football Federation Ousmane Dembélé1

See also