Even though the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be drawing to a close, the two have effectively blocked the path to the Ballon d’Or for many outstanding players of their generation.
They shared the award for a decade, during which some of the finest players in football history were active.
In this article, Sporting Tribune writes about the 10 players who have never had the opportunity to win the Ballon d’Or.
Andres Iniesta
Iniesta is the man for the biggest moments, most notably scoring the goal that won Spain the World Cup. His ball control was almost supernatural, allowing him to glide through midfield regardless of how many defenders surrounded him.
Like Xavi, his genius was often quiet and selfless, but his impact on the history of the sport makes him the most prominent name to have never won the Ballon d’Or.
Thierry Henry
For many, Henry is the greatest player to ever grace the Premier League. He combined frightening speed with an elegance that made elite defenders look amateur. He was the runner-up in 2003, a year many believe he deserved the win.
His career at Arsenal and later Barcelona included every major trophy, but the individual top prize strangely eluded him.
Neymar
A player of immense natural talent, Neymar was often the “third best” player in the world during his Barcelona years. His ability to manipulate the ball and beat defenders with flair made him the heir apparent to the Brazilian greats of old.
While his move to PSG was intended to help him emerge from the shadows and win individual prizes, he remains one of the most gifted players to never lift the golden ball.
Robert Lewandowski
Perhaps the most “robbed” player in the award’s history. In 2020, Lewandowski was the undisputed best player on the planet, leading Bayern Munich to a treble while scoring at a historic rate. The cancellation of the ceremony due to the pandemic denied him the trophy he had clearly earned.
He followed it up with a 41-goal Bundesliga season, further cementing his status as a generational goalscoring machine.
Luis Suarez
During the height of the “alien” era, Suarez was the only striker capable of outscoring both Messi and Ronaldo to win the European Golden Shoe.
His move to Barcelona saw him become the final piece of the iconic ‘MSN’ trio. A relentless winner and clinical finisher, his technical ability was often underrated due to his combative nature on the pitch.
Xavi
The metronome of the greatest Barcelona and Spain teams ever assembled. Xavi didn’t need to score 40 goals a season to dominate a game; he simply controlled the rhythm of every match he played.
He finished third in the rankings three times, consistently overshadowed by his own teammates despite being the engine that made their football tick.
Paolo Maldini
Maldini is widely regarded as the greatest defender in history, yet the Ballon d’Or famously favours goal scorers. He made defending look like an art form, rarely needing to go to ground because his positioning was so impeccable.
A five-time European Cup winner, his longevity and elegance at the heart of the AC Milan backline remain unmatched.
Manuel Neuer
Only one goalkeeper, Lev Yashin, has ever won the award. Neuer, however, completely revolutionised the position. By operating as a “sweeper-keeper” and becoming a primary distributor for Bayern and Germany, he changed what was expected of a number one.
His dominance between the sticks and his role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph made him a legitimate candidate who deserved more than a podium finish.
Wayne Rooney
Rooney’s career is occasionally undervalued because he burst onto the scene so young. At his peak in the late 2000s, he was arguably the only player capable of keeping pace with the technical and physical standards set by the very best.
As Manchester United’s all-time record scorer, his unselfishness often saw him drop deep or sacrifice his own numbers for the team’s success, likely costing him individual honours.
Arjen Robben
The Dutchman possessed a signature move that everyone in the stadium and every defender on the pitch knew was coming, yet no one could stop it. Cutting in from the right wing to unleash a curling strike with his left foot was his trademark.
A hero of Bayern Munich’s 2013 Champions League success, Robben was a force of nature whose peak coincided with the most competitive era in the award’s history.
