Top 10 Greatest Footballers Who Shockingly Never Won the Ballon d'Or

Football is the ultimate team sport, where players come together with one goal in mind: to win. From the FIFA World Cup to the UEFA Champions League, every footballer dreams of lifting those iconic trophies. While it takes a united team effort to achieve greatness, some players have the rare ability to turn a game around single-handedly.

The Ballon d’Or, awarded by the French magazine France Football, is one of the most prestigious individual honors in the sport. First introduced in 1956, it recognizes the best footballer in the world each year—and winning it is seen as the highest mark of personal excellence.

Over the decades, just 47 different players have had the honor of claiming the Ballon d’Or. Icons like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won it multiple times, cementing their places in football history. But not every legendary player has had their name engraved on the golden ball. In fact, some of the game’s greatest talents never won the award—despite lighting up the pitch and inspiring millions around the world.

In this article, let’s look at the top 10 greatest footballers who, surprisingly, never won the Ballon d’Or.

10. Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini’s legacy is truly unmatched. While attacking players often have the upper hand when it comes to winning the Ballon d'Or, Maldini had all the qualities to be recognised as the best in the world. A born leader and defensive maestro, he won multiple Serie A titles and UEFA Champions League trophies, and even reached the World Cup final in 1994. That incredible run earned him a spot in the Ballon d’Or top three—a rare achievement for a defender.

9. Neymar

Neymar Jr. was long seen as the best player in the world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He often finished third in major awards, but recurring injuries kept him from truly reaching the heights many believed he was destined for.

During the 2022/23 season, he found his best form again—reminding everyone of his brilliance. But a heartbreaking World Cup loss to Croatia hit him hard. The emotional toll of that defeat lingered, and just a few months later, he made the difficult decision to leave European football behind.

8. David Beckham

The Englishman doesn’t get nearly enough credit for what he achieved on the pitch. For years, he was one of the best midfielders in the world—capable of turning a game around all by himself. He played a vital role in Manchester United’s historic treble-winning season in 1998/99.

Yet, despite all that, he still only finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting that year, losing out to Barcelona’s Rivaldo.

7. Luis Suarez

Luis Suárez is widely regarded as one of the most complete strikers the game has ever seen. Strong, technical, agile, and relentless, he was a nightmare for defenders at his peak. His unorthodox style made him stand out — unpredictable, but always effective.

What’s even more impressive is that Suárez managed to outscore both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the height of their dominance, winning the European Golden Boot not just once, but twice.

6. Robert Lewandowski

The Polish striker is still performing at an elite level, even at 36 years old. His best season came in 2019/2020, when he was the top scorer in all of Europe and helped Bayern Munich win six trophies. Unfortunately, the Ballon d'Or ceremony was cancelled that year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When the award returned the following year, he finished second behind Lionel Messi.

5. Oliver Kahn

Oliver Kahn was widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world in the early 2000s. He enjoyed tremendous success with Bayern Munich and consistently delivered top performances for the German national team. Despite his outstanding form, he narrowly missed out on winning the top individual awards, finishing third in both 2001 and 2002.

4. Thierry Henry

The 2003 Ballon d'Or remains one of the most debated decisions in football history. That year, Thierry Henry was widely considered the best attacking player in the world, yet the award went to Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedvěd. While Henry came close again in 2004 and 2006, the Ballon d'Or ultimately eluded him. Despite his brilliance, the stars just never quite aligned for the Frenchman to claim football’s top individual honor.

3. Xavi

Xavi was truly exceptional as a player—a genius on the pitch. Even though he wasn’t the most physically imposing, he consistently controlled and dominated midfields against any opponent. His ability to read the game was second to none, and he was the heartbeat of that legendary FC Barcelona team during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Despite finishing third in the Ballon d’Or three times, he always showed humility, fully supporting Messi and Ronaldo’s victories during that era. A quiet leader, a footballing mind, and the ultimate team player—Xavi defined what it meant to play with intelligence and purpose.

2. Bobby Moore

Bobby Moore is one of the most iconic footballers the world has ever seen, yet he missed out on the Ballon d'Or—largely because of the position he played. As a defender, his brilliance often went underappreciated in an era that favored flashy forwards.

Even Pelé, one of the greatest players of all time, called Moore the best defender he ever faced—a true testament to his class. Moore also captained England to their first and only World Cup triumph in 1966, forever etching his name into football history.

1. Andrés Iniesta

The midfield maestro achieved the rare feat of winning every competition he played in. With the ball at his feet, he was nothing short of a magician. His finest moment came in 2010, when he scored the decisive goal in the World Cup final, securing the title for his country. Fittingly, he was also named Man of the Match for his brilliant performance.

Can you believe it? Despite everything he achieved, Iniesta ended up as one of the greatest players never to win the Ballon d'Or.

Cover Credits - CBC