10 legendary footballers who never won the Ballon d’Or

October 23, 2025 Kris Isaksen

The Ballon d'Or is football's most prestigious individual accolade—yet even the game's most iconic talents have sometimes been left without it. From playmakers to goalkeepers, this list highlights ten exceptional players whose brilliance somehow never earned them the golden ball. Starting from the top, here's a look at the greatest to never win it.

10. Franck Ribery – the treble winner who felt robbed

Franck Ribéry — daykung / Shutterstock.com

In 2013, Franck Ribery played a key role in Bayern Munich’s historic treble-winning season, yet still finished only third in the Ballon d’Or race. The French winger claimed he was “robbed,” blaming football politics for the snub. Competing against Messi and Ronaldo at their peak made it an uphill battle, but many agree Ribery had a legitimate case that year.

9. Andrea Pirlo – the maestro who defied statistics

Andrea Pirlo wasn’t the kind of player you could define by numbers—his game was about elegance, vision, and control. Despite winning nearly every team trophy available, including a World Cup, Pirlo’s highest Ballon d'Or finish was fifth. Had artistry and influence counted more than stats, he might’ve had a golden ball of his own.

8. Gianluigi Buffon – the wall that came closest

Only one goalkeeper has ever won the Ballon d’Or, and Gianluigi Buffon came closest to changing that, finishing second in 2006 after Italy’s World Cup triumph. With a career full of legendary saves and enduring excellence, his omission still baffles fans. He may not have won the Ballon d’Or, but he redefined goalkeeping for a generation.

7. Neymar – the superstar who never peaked at the right time

Neymar Jr. Al Hilal — Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Once predicted to dominate football's top individual honors, Neymar’s best Ballon d’Or result remains third. Injuries, inconsistency, and the constant comparison to Messi and Ronaldo kept him from reaching the top. At 32, time is running out to rewrite that narrative, despite a glittering career already behind him.

6. Dennis Bergkamp – the artist never crowned

Dennis Bergkamp dazzled fans with moments of pure magic, especially in his prime at Arsenal. Yet his best Ballon d’Or finishes came earlier, with a second-place finish in 1992 while at Ajax. For a player who redefined the beautiful game, missing out on football’s top individual prize still feels unjust.

5. Luis Suarez – too good to ignore, too close to Messi to win

Luis Suárez — Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com

In 2013/14, Luis Suarez delivered a Premier League season for the ages, and he followed that with world-class form at Barcelona. Even with a Golden Shoe and countless goals, he never cracked the Ballon d'Or top three. Playing in Messi’s shadow, despite matching him at times, made individual recognition hard to come by.

4. Xavi – the mind behind Barcelona’s golden age

Xavi Hernandez — Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Xavi was the silent architect of both Barcelona and Spain’s most successful eras, controlling matches with unmatched intelligence and precision. He finished third in the Ballon d'Or three times, but never higher. Despite the lack of a golden trophy, his legacy as one of football’s greatest midfielders is undisputed.

3. Paolo Maldini – the definition of defensive greatness

Paolo Maldini’s career spanned 25 years at the highest level, earning five Champions League titles and seven Serie A trophies with AC Milan. He placed third in the Ballon d’Or voting twice—once in 1994 and again in 2003. For many, he is the greatest defender never to receive football’s top individual accolade.

2. Thierry Henry – a Ballon d’Or snub that still stings

In 2003, Thierry Henry was Europe’s most prolific forward but was controversially beaten to the Ballon d’Or by Pavel Nedved. With a World Cup, Euros, and Premier League legend status to his name, it’s still seen as a major oversight. Even Didier Drogba once said Henry should have won it “10 times.”

1. Andres Iniesta – the genius who deserved more

Andres Iniesta was at the heart of Spain’s golden generation and Barcelona’s dominance, scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final. That year, he finished second in Ballon d'Or voting behind Messi—a teammate he often helped shine. Widely admired, Iniesta is perhaps the most glaring omission from the award’s history.