15 Football Legends Who Never Won the Ballon d’Or – Ranked
The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious individual honour in football. Yet, even some of the greatest players the game has ever seen never got their hands on it. Whether due to bad timing, the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, or just plain misfortune, these 15 icons were left without the golden ball. Here are the 15 best footballers never to win the Ballon d’Or — ranked from 15 to 1.
15. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was never considered the absolute best in the world at any moment, but he was consistently elite for over a decade. His flair, longevity, and trophy haul make him one of football’s true characters, though the lack of a Champions League final appearance likely held him back.
14. Virgil van Dijk
Few defenders have come as close to the Ballon d’Or as Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch centre-back transformed Liverpool’s back line and nearly beat Lionel Messi to the award in 2019, finishing just seven points behind.
13. Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard’s legendary status at Liverpool was secured with his heroics in the 2005 Champions League final. Despite finishing third in the Ballon d’Or voting once, his career-long loyalty to Liverpool may have limited his chances to win more trophies — and the award itself.
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12. Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski was the overwhelming Ballon d’Or favourite in 2020, but the award was cancelled due to the pandemic. Even after scoring 69 goals in 2021, he finished behind Messi again, leaving many to feel he was unfairly denied football’s biggest individual honour.
11. Arjen Robben
Robben’s decisive goal in the 2013 Champions League final was a career-defining moment, yet it only earned him a fourth-place Ballon d'Or finish. His influence for both Bayern Munich and the Dutch national team was immense, but never enough to claim the top prize.
10. Franck Ribery
Ribery felt "robbed" in 2013 after leading Bayern to the treble but still finishing third in the voting. With Messi and Ronaldo at their peak, the French winger’s brilliance was ultimately overshadowed.
9. Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo’s genius didn’t lie in numbers or flash — it lay in elegance, intelligence, and control. Though he never broke into the Ballon d’Or top three, his legacy as one of the game’s great conductors remains unquestioned.
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8. Gianluigi Buffon
Only one goalkeeper has ever won the Ballon d'Or, and Buffon came closest since Yashin with a second-place finish in 2006. Despite never lifting the Champions League, his legendary career earned him universal respect.
7. Neymar
Once expected to dominate the post-Messi-Ronaldo era, Neymar never quite reached those heights. Injuries, pressure, and playing in Messi’s shadow left the Brazilian short of the prize his talent warranted.
6. Dennis Bergkamp
Bergkamp reached his peak at Arsenal but had his best Ballon d’Or finishes at Ajax. A master technician, his fourth-place finish since 1995 doesn't do justice to the moments of magic he gave the game.
5. Luis Suarez
Suarez was unstoppable at Liverpool and maintained his form at Barcelona, even while competing with Messi. Despite winning the Golden Shoe and scoring at a phenomenal rate, he could never quite step out of Messi’s shadow.
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4. Xavi
Xavi was the metronome of one of football’s greatest dynasties, orchestrating play with unmatched intelligence. Despite finishing third three times, he never won the Ballon d'Or — likely because he would have voted for Messi himself.
3. Paolo Maldini
Arguably the greatest defender of all time, Maldini played over two decades at the highest level with AC Milan. His third-place finishes in 1994 and 2003 reflect his greatness, though many believe he deserved much more.
2. Thierry Henry
The 2003 Ballon d'Or vote remains a controversial moment in football history, with Henry’s incredible stats beaten by Nedved’s influence. A World Cup and Euros winner, and one of the Premier League’s finest ever, Henry's omission still stings.
1. Andres Iniesta
Iniesta scored the World Cup-winning goal in 2010 and was central to Barcelona and Spain’s golden era. Finishing second to Messi that year, his elegance and clutch performances still weren’t enough for the Ballon d'Or — making him the greatest player never to win it.
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