The Ballon d’Or is regarded as the most prestigious individual award in football, crowning the world’s best player each year. Since its inception in 1956, the award has evolved from recognizing only European players to becoming a global accolade. However, despite its illustrious history, there are many football legends who, despite their incredible achievements, never won the coveted prize. This article pays tribute to some of the greatest footballers who never laid their hands on the Ballon d’Or.
1. Pelé
Considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Pelé was the sport’s first global superstar. However, the Brazilian legend never won the Ballon d’Or due to the award’s eligibility criteria during his playing days, which excluded non-European players. Despite this, Pelé’s performances at the World Cup, particularly as a 17-year-old in 1958, cemented his legacy as an all-time great.
In 1999, France Football, the publication behind the Ballon d’Or, named Pelé as the Football Player of the Century. Retrospectively, it was acknowledged that Pelé would have won the award at least seven times had he been eligible, particularly for his contributions in the 1958, 1962, and 1970 World Cup-winning Brazilian teams.
2. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona is another football legend who never officially won the Ballon d’Or due to being ineligible during his prime. Like Pelé, Maradona was later retrospectively recognized by France Football for his iconic contributions to the sport. Maradona was at the height of his powers during the 1986 World Cup, where he led Argentina to victory with his extraordinary performances, including the famous “Hand of God” goal and his dazzling solo run against England.
Maradona’s brilliance extended to club football, where he transformed Napoli into Serie A champions in the late 1980s. Despite never winning the Ballon d’Or, Maradona remains one of the most revered figures in football history.
3. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry is widely regarded as one of the greatest forwards in football history, especially for his time at Arsenal, where he became the club’s all-time top scorer. Despite his incredible performances, particularly during Arsenal’s Invincible season in 2003-04, Henry never won the Ballon d’Or. In 2003, he finished second to Pavel Nedved, a decision that many football fans still debate.
Henry’s unique blend of speed, technique, and goal-scoring ability made him a nightmare for defenders, and his contributions to the French national team and his club career made him a Ballon d’Or-worthy candidate several times over.
4. Xavi Hernández
Xavi Hernández was the heartbeat of both Barcelona and Spain during their periods of dominance in the late 2000s and early 2010s. A midfield maestro, Xavi’s vision, control, and passing ability were unmatched, making him a crucial part of Barcelona’s tiki-taka style and Spain’s World Cup and European Championship triumphs.
Despite his influence, Xavi never won the Ballon d’Or, often overshadowed by his teammate Lionel Messi. He finished third in the voting in 2009, 2010, and 2011, but many argue that his orchestration of Barcelona’s and Spain’s midfield deserved the ultimate recognition.
5. Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini is one of the greatest defenders in football history, spending his entire 25-year career at AC Milan. Renowned for his composure, intelligence, and leadership, Maldini’s defensive prowess helped Milan win five European Cups and numerous domestic titles. Despite being a stalwart at the back, Maldini never won the Ballon d’Or, although he came close in 1994 when he finished third.
Maldini’s longevity and consistency at the highest level made him a legend of the game, and his influence on football remains strong today, even though individual awards like the Ballon d’Or eluded him.
6. Robert Lewandowski
Perhaps one of the most significant Ballon d’Or travesties occurred in 2020 when the award was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, Robert Lewandowski was in the form of his life, scoring 55 goals and leading Bayern Munich to a historic treble, including the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League titles.
Lewandowski has consistently been one of the best strikers in the world over the last decade, and although he finished second in 2021 behind Lionel Messi, many feel that the Polish forward should have claimed the award at least once, particularly in 2020.
7. Andrés Iniesta
Like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta was a critical figure for both Barcelona and Spain. His technical ability, intelligence, and calmness on the ball made him one of the most elegant midfielders of his generation. Iniesta’s crowning moment came in 2010 when he scored the winning goal in the World Cup final, yet he never won the Ballon d’Or.
In 2010, Iniesta finished second behind Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or race, but his legacy as one of the best midfielders ever is unquestionable. His partnership with Xavi in Barcelona’s midfield and their role in Spain’s golden era will be remembered for generations.
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8. Gianluigi Buffon
No goalkeeper has won the Ballon d’Or since Lev Yashin in 1963, and Gianluigi Buffon is one of the best goalkeepers never to claim the prize. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Buffon’s reflexes, leadership, and consistency were key to Juventus and Italy’s success over the years.
Buffon finished second in the 2006 Ballon d’Or voting after leading Italy to World Cup glory, and his performances for Juventus throughout his career were often at the highest level. While goalkeepers rarely receive individual accolades, Buffon’s omission from the Ballon d’Or winners’ list is often seen as a great injustice.
9. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard was one of the most prolific midfielders in football history, known for his ability to score goals from midfield. During his time at Chelsea, Lampard helped the club to multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in 2012. He was a consistent performer, scoring over 200 goals in his career, a remarkable feat for a midfielder.
Lampard finished second in the 2005 Ballon d’Or voting behind Ronaldinho, and while he never claimed the prize, his influence on the modern game and his goal-scoring ability from midfield have set a high standard for future generations.
While the Ballon d’Or is a prestigious honor, it hasn’t always reflected the greatness of certain football legends. Players like Pelé, Maradona, Henry, and Maldini were instrumental in shaping the game, but due to various factors, they never won the prize. This article highlights that football’s greatest figures don’t always need individual awards to validate their immense contributions to the sport. Their legacies will endure long after their playing days, regardless of whether they ever won the Ballon d’Or.
