The Ballon d’Or, usually regarded as football’s most prestigious individual honour, is an annual prize given to the best player from the previous year.
The Ballon d’Or, which was first given out in 1956, recognises a remarkable player chosen by coaches, players, and journalists around the world. The most recent winner, Lionel Messi of Argentina, accepted the 2023 trophy, which was his eighth Ballon d’Or, setting a new record.
Another legendary figure in the game, Cristiano Ronaldo, has won the prize five times. But for the first time since 2003, neither Messi nor Ronaldo received nominations, as both were conspicuously missing from the 2024 list.
Football icons like Pele and Diego Maradona, who were previously ineligible, were eventually given consideration when the award was extended in 1995 to include players from all over the world. Originally, it was only given to European players.
However, over the years, a few of football’s best players have gone unnoticed despite the Ballon d’Or’s global appeal. BusinessDay examines 10 football greats who, in spite of their talent, were never awarded the Ballon d’Or.
Thierry Henry
Considered by many to be among the best strikers in Premier League history, Thierry Henry made a lasting impression while he was at Arsenal.
In addition to being a vital member of Arsenal’s “Invincibles” team in 2004, he guided the team to their first-ever Champions League final in 2006 and helped France win the World Cup and European Championship.
In spite of his accolades, Zinedine Zidane frequently eclipsed Henry in the Ballon d’Or competition. Despite winning the European Golden Boot twice and the FWA Player of the Year award three times, he only managed to place second in 2003 and third in 2006.
Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta was a key member of Spain’s World Cup-winning team and Barcelona’s heyday. He was one of the most admired midfielders of his period because of his exquisite playmaking and accurate passing. Iniesta had a key role in Spain’s World Cup and European Championship victories as well as Barcelona’s several Champions League victories. Despite his extraordinary talent, he was frequently eclipsed by his colleague Lionel Messi, who won numerous Ballon d’Or awards. Spain won their first-ever World Cup thanks to Iniesta’s historic goal in the 2010 final, which also earned him second place in that year’s Ballon d’Or vote.
Luis Suarez
Known for his deadly finishing, Luis Suarez was also a casualty of the Messi-Ronaldo period. Suarez was a prolific scorer for teams like Barcelona, Liverpool, and Ajax, yet he never made it into the top three of the Ballon d’Or.
He demonstrated his excellence throughout leagues by winning Golden Boots in the Netherlands, England, and Spain. He came very close to winning the Premier League with Liverpool in the 2013–14 season. Suarez won the treble in his debut season at Barcelona when he joined Messi and Neymar to form an iconic offensive trio. In 2011, he also guided Uruguay to victory in the Copa America.
Steven Gerrard
A key member of Liverpool, Steven Gerrard won a European championship in 2005 and placed second on the Ballon d’Or podium, barely behind Ronaldinho and Frank Lampard. Even though he scored 24 goals in 2008, the domination of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Spain’s Euro Cup victory eclipsed him.
Xavi Hernandez
The beating heart of Barcelona’s illustrious squad was Xavi, who is often considered the best Spanish midfield player. A three-time Ballon d’Or bronze winner (2009, 2010, and 2011) and World Cup winner, Xavi’s vision and passing made him invaluable to both club and nation. Xavi never received the Ballon d’Or, despite playing a crucial part in Barcelona’s heyday and Spain’s 2010 World Cup winning team.
Neymar
As a once-in-a-generation star, Neymar was expected to bring Brazil back to its former glory. Inconsistencies and lost chances have tarnished his legacy despite his extraordinary talent and accomplishments, which include domestic championships and a Champions League victory. Even if he is still among the greatest in the world, Neymar has not yet won the Ballon d’Or or guided Brazil to a World Cup victory.
Franck Ribery
Because of Ronaldo and Messi’s dominance, Franck Ribery was a vibrant presence for both France and Bayern Munich, but he frequently fell short. Many people thought Ribery should have won the Ballon d’Or because of his outstanding 2013 season, during which Bayern won the treble. But that year, in a contentious decision, Cristiano Ronaldo won the prize, depriving Ribery of the coveted silverware.
Gianluigi Buffon
Legendary goalie Buffon was recognised as the best goalie in the world after winning the Lev Yashin Trophy five times. An unusual accomplishment for a goalie, he also came in second behind colleague Fabio Cannavaro in the 2006 Ballon d’Or. The Lev Yashin Trophy was established to recognise exceptional goalkeepers in response to the difficulty of goalkeepers winning the Ballon d’Or.
