Short answer: Lionel Messi has 8 Ballon d'Or wins — the most ever.
Messi's 8 Ballon d'Ors (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023) are the all-time record. Ronaldo has 5. Platini, Cruyff, Van Basten have 3 each. Multiple historical issues: Pele never won (non-European at the time).