Footballers Who Never Won the Ballon d’Or Awards but Still Have Efficient Impact on World Football
The Ballon d’Or is synonymous with footballing excellence, but its history is also marked by notable absences. Many legendary players, who left indelible marks on the beautiful game, never got to hold this prestigious trophy. Here’s a tribute to ten such footballing maestros.
List of Top 10 Greatest Footballers Who Never Won the Ballon d’Or Awards
1. Thierry Henry: The French Magician
Thierry Henry, a name that resonates with flair and skill, is arguably one of the most complete strikers the game has ever seen. With an enviable list of team honours, including the Premier League, La Liga, and the FIFA World Cup, Henry’s absence from the Ballon d’Or winners’ list is baffling. His closest brush with the award was in 2003, despite outperforming the eventual winner, Pavel Nedved, with his goal contributions.
2. Andres Iniesta: The Midfield Maestro
Andres Iniesta’s name is often mentioned in discussions about the best midfielders of all time. His career at FC Barcelona and his pivotal role in Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory are the stuff of legends. Yet, the 2010 Ballon d’Or eluded him, leading to widespread debate about the fairness of the decision.
3. Robert Lewandowski: The Goal Machine
Robert Lewandowski’s exclusion from the Ballon d’Or winners is perhaps one of the most contentious. His phenomenal goal-scoring record, especially in the 2019-20 season, made him a prime candidate. However, the cancellation of the 2020 ceremony due to COVID-19 and narrowly losing out to Lionel Messi in 2021 left many fans and pundits questioning the decision-making process.
4. Luis Suarez: The Prolific Striker
Luis Suarez’s career is a testament to his relentless goal-scoring ability. His record-breaking season with Liverpool in 2013-14 and subsequent success at Barcelona should have ideally placed him among the Ballon d’Or winners. However, playing alongside Lionel Messi possibly overshadowed his individual brilliance.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The Charismatic Enigma
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, known for his larger-than-life persona and incredible skill set, has a trophy-laden career across Europe’s top leagues. His best chance for the Ballon d’Or came in 2013, but he finished fourth. Despite his global acclaim, the Swedish icon never clinched the coveted individual award.
6. Franck Ribery: The French Wing Wizard
Franck Ribery’s 2013 season with Bayern Munich is often cited as one of the greatest individual campaigns. Winning the treble and playing a crucial role in Bayern’s dominance that year, Ribery was many people’s favourite for the Ballon d’Or. However, he finished third, leading to a sense of injustice among fans and experts.
7. Neymar Jr: The Brazilian Prodigy
Neymar Jr, bursting onto the scene as a teenage sensation, was tipped for multiple Ballon d’Or wins. His transfer to Barcelona and later to PSG were seen as steps towards achieving this goal. Injuries and playing in the shadow of Messi at Barcelona, however, hampered his chances.
8. Ferenc Puskas: The Hungarian Legend
Ferenc Puskas, a name that resonates in the halls of football greatness, never won the Ballon d’Or despite his staggering goal-scoring record. The award named after him honours the most beautiful goals each year, a fitting tribute, yet it underscores the irony of his own miss with the Ballon d’Or.
9. Arjen Robben: The Dutch Master
Arjen Robben’s career is a blend of speed, skill, and significant silverware. His performances for Bayern Munich, especially during their treble-winning season, were exceptional. However, he never got closer to the Ballon d’Or than finishing fourth in 2013.
10. Paolo Maldini: The Defensive Titan
Paolo Maldini, often referred to as the greatest defender in football history, never winning the Ballon d’Or is perhaps one of the most glaring omissions. His career, entirely with AC Milan, was decorated with numerous titles, but the lack of recognition in the form of a Ballon d’Or highlights the award’s forward bias.
These players, with their extraordinary talent and achievements, have etched their names in football history. Their lack of a Ballon d’Or award does little to diminish their legacy. Instead, it highlights the subjectivity and limitations of individual awards in a team sport. They remain, undeniably, some of the greatest players to have graced the game.
