Top 10 Players Who Deserved Ballon d’Or But Never Won
The Ballon d’Or has long stood as football’s highest individual honor. It has crowned the game’s most exceptional talents, from George Best to Lionel Messi, for over six decades. But while many deserving names have lifted the trophy, some of football’s greatest icons were left empty-handed.
Here are ten footballers who gave everything to the game, graced us with world-class performances year after year, achieved everything with both club and country and yet never saw their name engraved on the golden ball.
1. Andrés Iniesta, The Poet Who Never Needed Applause
Few players had class and elegance quite like Iniesta. He wasn’t flashy. He didn’t rack up hat-tricks. But his intelligence, vision, dribbling, and ability to control the tempo made him irreplaceable. The only midfielder who could rival Zidane’s class was the Spaniard. Not only did he do everything perfectly with the ball, but Iniesta was the epitome of a clutch player. Having received the man of the match in a Champions League final, a World Cup final, and the UEFA Euro final defines greatness.
He scored the goal that won Spain their first-ever World Cup in 2010 and helped his country dominate international football for nearly a decade. Yet, the Ballon d’Or slipped through his fingers because of his teammate, who, unfortunately, happened to be the magician, Lionel Messi.
2. Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s Greatest Ever
At his peak, Henry was unstoppable. He combined pace, finesse, and an uncanny eye for goal. During the 2003-04 season, he spearheaded Arsenal’s unbeaten “Invincibles” campaign, notching up goals and assists like clockwork. The Frenchman had 39 goals and 15 assists and was named PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year. Still, the award went to Pavel Nedved.
The Czech had a pretty impressive season, pivotal in Juventus’s success in Serie A and leading them to a Champions League final. However, one cannot deny that the Arsenal talisman was by far the best player in the world at that time. That decision remains one of the most debated Ballon d’Or snubs ever.
3. Xavi – The Brain Behind Barcelona’s Brilliance
Barcelona and Spain’s dominance from 2008 to 2012 had Xavi’s fingerprints all over it. He controlled matches like a chess master, always one step ahead. He wasn’t just passing sideways, he was dictating entire games. But because he wasn’t a traditional goal scorer, the Ballon d’Or never truly came within reach. Another victim of being in the same generation as those two footballing giants, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
4. Robert Lewandowski, The Victim of Bad Timing
The 2019–20 season was Lewandowski’s masterpiece: 55 goals, a treble with Bayern Munich, and sheer dominance, winning the Golden Boot and so many individual awards. Unfortunately, the 2020 Ballon d’Or was canceled due to the pandemic. Despite another stellar campaign, he lost out to Lionel Messi the following year. If ever there was a case of misfortune and missed timing, this was it.
5. Paolo Maldini, The Gentleman Defender
Maldini didn’t just play the game. He redefined defensive excellence. With a career spanning 25 years at AC Milan, from a world-class left back to a beast of a center half, he lifted five European Cups and won seven Serie A titles. He was calm under pressure, never needed to dive in, and led gracefully. Still, the Ballon d’Or voters always looked the opposite regarding defenders.
6. Gianluigi Buffon – The Wall That Never Cracked
Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers, Buffon had everything. Mentality, reflexes, leadership, and longevity. He was Italy’s backbone during their 2006 World Cup triumph. But keepers rarely get love in individual awards. The last one to win the Ballon d’Or? Lev Yashin in 1963.
7. Wesley Sneijder – 2010, The Year Football Forgot
If there was ever a year that was made for a Ballon d’Or winner, Wesley Sneijder’s 2010 would be it. At club level, Sneijder was the heartbeat of Inter Milan’s historic treble-winning side, under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. He pulled the strings in midfield, created chances out of thin air, and delivered in big moments, including assists in both the Champions League quarter-final and final. The Nerazzurri didn’t just win, they dominated Europe, winning 2-0 against a strong Bayern Munich team, and Sneijder was at the center of it all.
Then came the World Cup. He stepped up even more for the Netherlands, netting five goals and leading them to the final, knocking out Brazil and Uruguay in the process. They narrowly lost in extra time against a Spanish team that was one for the books.
Yet, when the 2010 Ballon d’Or voting was revealed, Sneijder didn’t finish first. He didn’t finish second. Not even third. He came in fourth, behind Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Xavi. It wasn’t just a snub. It was a headline-making shock. Even Sneijder admitted years later that he’d won it, only to find out otherwise. It remains one of the most debated decisions in Ballon d’Or history.
8. Franck Ribéry – 2013: The Treble That Wasn’t Enough
In 2013, Franck Ribéry had the season that turned great players into legends. His form for Bayern Munich was relentless, electric on the wing, creative in possession, and deadly in front of goal. That year, Bayern didn’t just win everything, they steamrolled their way to a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League treble under Jupp Heynckes.
Ribéry was central to that success, finishing with 22 assists and playing a key role in every competition. He wasn’t just a flashy winger but mature, efficient, and unstoppable. And yet, despite winning UEFA’s Best Player in Europe Award, Ribéry was denied the Ballon d’Or. He finished third, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
To make things worse, the Ballon d’Or voting deadline was extended that year, a controversial move that allowed Ronaldo’s late performances to sway more votes. Many viewed the outcome as political, rather than footballing. Ribéry certainly did, calling it an “injustice” in later interviews. In his own words, “What more could I have done?”
9. Manuel Neuer – 2014: The Wall Behind the World Cup
Goalkeepers rarely get their due in individual awards. The last and only keeper to win the Ballon d’Or was Lev Yashin in 1963. In 2014, Manuel Neuer came closer than anyone since. His performances that year were something else. Neuer redefined modern goalkeeping with his “sweeper-keeper” style, charging off his line, playing like an extra defender, and still pulling off world-class saves. He was a force for Bayern Munich, but more importantly, he was Germany’s foundation in their 2014 World Cup win.
His heroics against Algeria in the Round of 16 alone were worthy of highlight reels for years. Add to that clean sheets, leadership, and confidence at the back, and he wasn’t just the best keeper in the world, he was arguably the most influential player at the tournament. The performance against Algeria was one of the best goalkeeping performances in World Cup history.
Still, in the Ballon d’Or race, Neuer finished third. The top two spots, once again, went to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two attacking powerhouses. Neuer’s campaign was historic, but the system, it seemed, still favored goals over saves.
10. Ferenc Puskás, A Name That Echoes in History
Puskás was a scoring machine long before the game became global. With over 500 goals and a thunderous left foot, he was the face of Hungary’s “Mighty Magyars” and a legend at Real Madrid. Today, FIFA’s Best Goal of the Year award bears his name, but ironically, the Ballon d’Or never did.
