Ballon d'Or: The 7 Greatest Footballers Who Never Claimed the Prestigious Award
- The Ballon d'Or crowns the world’s best player each year, yet several world-class players have never claimed it
- Robert Lewandowski and Thierry Henry nearly won the award after stellar seasons with Bayern and Arsenal, respectively
- Briefly News has decided to take a look at the seven greatest players who have never won the Ballon d'Or
The Ballon d'Or stands as football's highest individual honour. Though it began in Europe, it's now acknowledged as the award for the world's best player each year.
From the late 2000s to the 2010s, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the award. Their era and a few contentious winners left many elite players without the coveted prize.
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Players like Wesley Sneijder have openly expressed feeling overlooked, while others remain more reserved.
Briefly News ranked the seven greatest players who have never won the Ballon d'Or.
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Top footballers who never won the Ballon d'Or
Thierry Henry (Best Finish: 2nd)
The 2003 Ballon d'Or race is often called one of the most debatable. Thierry Henry was the most productive player in Europe’s top five leagues during that period, yet lost to Pavel Nedved, whose statistics didn’t match Henry's.
Already a European Champion and World Cup winner, Henry had established himself among the Premier League's best. Despite this stellar résumé, he could not secure the award, a subject he’s often asked about to this day.
Andres Iniesta (Best Finish: 2nd)
Known as the "Batman" to Xavi's "Robin," Andres Iniesta’s synergy with his Spanish teammate was unmatched.
While Xavi lacked significant individual moments to boost his Ballon d'Or case, Iniesta scored the winning goal in a World Cup final.
Many now believe Iniesta deserved the Ballon d'Or in 2010, but he ultimately placed second, once again, to Lionel Messi—an outcome all too familiar in Ballon d'Or history.
Paolo Maldini (Best Finish: 3rd)
Considered one of football's greatest defenders, Paolo Maldini dedicated his 25-year career to AC Milan, winning five Champions League titles and seven Serie A championships, per the BBC.
Despite his incredible longevity and consistent excellence, he never claimed the Ballon d'Or. His best finishes were third place in 1994 and 2003.
His career is a testament to durability and peak performance across generations.
Neymar (Best Finish: 3rd)
Once touted as a generational talent destined for multiple Ballon d'Or titles, Neymar’s career hasn’t met these lofty expectations, though not solely by his own doing.
At 32, he’s achieved what most players can only dream of, but his inability to lead Brazil to a World Cup win and bring the Ballon d'Or back to his homeland since 2007 has left an inevitable “what if” lingering in his legacy.
Robert Lewandowski (Best Finish: 2nd)
One of football's finest goalscorers, Robert Lewandowski, was the favourite for the Ballon d'Or in 2020 before the ceremony was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, per Goal. He settled for the FIFA Best trophy instead.
In 2021, Lewandowski shattered records with 69 goals across competitions, yet narrowly lost the Ballon d'Or to Messi. Now in his mid-30s, though he continues to score for Barcelona, it appears unlikely he will ever secure the prestigious award.
Franck Ribery (Best Finish: 3rd)
Franck Ribery, instrumental in Bayern Munich’s 2013 European success, was surprised when he finished third in the Ballon d'Or voting. He attributed his loss to “football politics” despite his crucial role in Bayern’s triumph.
While major trophies heavily influence Ballon d'Or success, Ribery’s feelings of being unfairly overlooked are understandable given his pivotal contributions.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Best Finish: 4th)
Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic may not have been the world’s best player at any time, he was among the elite for more than a decade. His longevity, trophy collection, and knack for the spectacular made him a perennial contender.
One disadvantage he faced, however, was never appearing in a Champions League final—a notable achievement in voters’ eyes.
Had he done so, Ibrahimovic might have joined legends like Ronaldinho in lifting the Ballon d'Or.
Neymar reiterates support for Vinicius
Earlier, Briefly News reported that Neymar Jr. reiterated his backing for Vinicius Junior to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
The former Barcelona star tipped Vinicius to outshine competitors like Jude Bellingham and Rodri for the prestigious award.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Vinicius 'already knows' he's secured the 2024 Ballon d'Or, with Nike preparing a special tribute to him.
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