AC Milan has eight Ballon d’Or-winning editions under the counting method used here, shared by six different players.
Marco van Basten holds the club record with three awards, won in 1988, 1989 and 1992. Gianni Rivera, Ruud Gullit, George Weah, Andriy Shevchenko and Kaká each won once.
This guide lists every AC Milan Ballon d’Or winner by year, explains each player’s achievement and clarifies why some published club totals may differ.
New to the award itself? Our guide on what the Ballon d’Or is covers the basics.
AC Milan Ballon d’Or Winners List
| Year | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Gianni Rivera | Italy |
| 1987 | Ruud Gullit | Netherlands |
| 1988 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands |
| 1989 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands |
| 1992 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands |
| 1995 | George Weah | Liberia |
| 2004 | Andriy Shevchenko | Ukraine |
| 2007 | Kaká | Brazil |
Counting method: this article credits each award to the club the player represented when the Ballon d’Or was presented. Other lists may use a season-based method, so club totals can sometimes differ.
For every winner from 1956 onwards, see the full Ballon d’Or winners list.
Every AC Milan Ballon d’Or Winner Explained
Gianni Rivera — 1969
Gianni Rivera was a creative attacking midfielder and the heartbeat of AC Milan throughout the 1960s. He joined the club as a teenager and became captain, directing play with precise passing and intelligent movement.
He played in Milan’s European Cup wins of 1963 and 1969. He also won Serie A titles in 1962 and 1968, and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1968.
Rivera won the 1969 Ballon d’Or after helping Milan lift the European Cup. He became the first player to win the award while representing the club, establishing a record that later Milan stars would add to.
It was also a European-only award at the time. Players from outside Europe were not yet eligible.
Ruud Gullit — 1987
Ruud Gullit arrived at AC Milan in the summer of 1987 from PSV Eindhoven for a deal widely reported as a world-record transfer at the time.
The versatile Dutchman could operate as a midfielder, forward or even deeper, combining physical power with technical quality and leadership.
His Ballon d’Or came in 1987, just as his Milan career began. It recognised a year that included his last season with PSV and his move to Italy.
The club honours came afterwards. Gullit helped Milan win Serie A in 1988 and the European Cup in 1989 and 1990. Those trophies are separate from the 1987 award.
Marco van Basten — 1988, 1989 and 1992
Marco van Basten is AC Milan’s record Ballon d’Or winner, with three awards in 1988, 1989 and 1992. The Dutch striker joined Milan from Ajax in 1987 and became one of the defining forwards of his generation.
He collected the trophy in 1988, 1989 and again in 1992. The Dutch striker joined from Ajax in 1987 and quickly became one of the defining forwards of his generation.
Van Basten combined precise finishing with intelligent movement and outstanding technique. He could score from difficult angles and create opportunities as well as finish them.
The 1988 award followed Euro 1988, where he scored five goals for the Netherlands. That included a hat-trick against England and the volley in the final against the Soviet Union.
In 1989 Milan won the European Cup. Van Basten scored twice in the final against Steaua Bucharest.
His third award came in 1992, after a Serie A season in which he scored 25 goals as Milan went unbeaten. He also received the FIFA World Player of the Year award that year. That is a separate honour from the Ballon d’Or.
Ankle injuries ended his career early. He formally retired in 1995.
George Weah — 1995
George Weah became the first African player to win the Ballon d’Or in 1995. His performances for Paris Saint-Germain during the 1994–95 season, particularly in European competition, helped establish him as one of the world’s leading forwards before his move to AC Milan.
The award’s eligibility rules had expanded in 1995 to include players of any nationality at European clubs, making Weah’s victory a landmark in the prize’s history.
The 1995 Ballon d’Or was presented in December, after Weah had joined AC Milan. Under this article’s presentation-date method, the award is therefore credited to Milan.
Lists that assign awards according to the club associated with a player’s performances may treat his win differently, so the counting method should always be checked when comparing totals.
Andriy Shevchenko — 2004
Shevchenko signed from Dynamo Kyiv in 1999. He finished as Serie A’s top scorer in his first season in Italy.
He led the league in scoring again in 2003-04. His pace and sharp finishing made him the focal point of Milan’s attack.
He scored the decisive penalty in the 2003 Champions League final shoot-out against Juventus. Milan then won Serie A in 2003-04.
Shevchenko’s 2004 Ballon d’Or recognised his individual performances, including his prolific scoring in Serie A. His contribution to Milan’s success helped define his time at the club.
Kaká — 2007
Kaká’s 2007 Ballon d’Or capped an outstanding period at AC Milan. The Brazilian attacking midfielder had been joined from São Paulo in 2003.
He carried the ball through midfield at pace and created chances with his passing.
He also scored important goals. In the 2006-07 Champions League he finished as the tournament’s top scorer.
He scored twice in the 3-0 semi-final second-leg win over Manchester United at San Siro. Milan then beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final in Athens.
The 2007 Ballon d’Or was the high point of his Milan years. He also won FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007, which is a different award.
The 2007 edition was the first Ballon d’Or open to players worldwide, regardless of nationality or the league in which they played. Kaká remains AC Milan’s most recent winner under the counting method used here.
Which AC Milan Player Has Won the Most Ballon d’Or Awards?
Marco van Basten has won the most, with three awards in 1988, 1989 and 1992.
The other five Milan winners each won once. Van Basten’s three also place him among the multiple winners listed in our Ballon d’Or records guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Ballon d’Or awards have AC Milan players won?
AC Milan has eight Ballon d’Or-winning editions under this article’s counting method, shared by six different players.
Which AC Milan player has won the most Ballon d’Or awards?
Marco van Basten, with three wins in 1988, 1989 and 1992.
Who was the first AC Milan player to win the Ballon d’Or?
Gianni Rivera, who won in 1969.
Did George Weah win the Ballon d’Or as an AC Milan player?
Weah received the 1995 award after transferring from Paris Saint-Germain to AC Milan earlier that year. The presentation took place while he was a Milan player, so the win is credited to the club under the method used in this article. Some sources still list the dual club attribution.
When was the last time an AC Milan player won the Ballon d’Or?
Kaká won in 2007, the most recent Ballon d’Or credited to AC Milan under this article’s method.
Conclusion
AC Milan’s eight Ballon d’Or-winning editions span several generations, from Gianni Rivera in 1969 to Kaká in 2007. Marco van Basten remains the club’s record winner with three awards.
The club’s total also illustrates why the method used to attribute individual awards matters, particularly for players who changed clubs before the ceremony.
To compare Milan with other clubs, see which clubs have won the most Ballon d’Or awards. You can also read the winner lists for Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
