Paolo Maldini, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

10 Legendary Players Who Never Won the Ballon d’Or – Ranked

September 22, 2025 Kris Isaksen

The Ballon d'Or is football's most prestigious individual prize, yet some of the greatest players in history never got to lift it. From prolific goalscorers to midfield maestros, these icons shaped the game — but never claimed the Golden Ball. Here's a countdown of the top 10 best players who never won it.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimović – The Maverick Without a Crown

Zlatan Ibrahimović was a serial winner, collecting 11 league titles across four countries and scoring over 500 goals in a glittering career. His charisma and outrageous goals made him a global icon. Despite finishing fourth in 2014, a lack of Champions League success kept him from serious Ballon d'Or contention. Still, few matched his consistency, flair, and swagger — he was pure box office.

9. Raúl – Real Madrid’s Forgotten Galáctico

Raul — Photo: Marta Fernandez Jimenez / Shutterstock.com

Raúl González scored 228 goals for Real Madrid and helped them win three Champions League titles. He led from the front during Los Blancos' golden years, often overshadowed by flashier stars. In 2001, he was arguably Europe's best player, but lost out on the Ballon d'Or to Michael Owen. With six La Liga titles and a legacy of consistency, Raúl remains a glaring omission from the winners' list.

8. Paolo Maldini – The Defender Who Redefined Class

Paolo Maldini was the ultimate defender — elegant, intelligent, and unshakable. In a 25-year career at AC Milan, he won five Champions Leagues and seven Serie A titles. A one-club man and a symbol of loyalty, Maldini only reached the Ballon d’Or podium once, in 2003. His defensive brilliance deserved far more recognition on the global stage.

7. Xavi – The Genius Behind Barcelona’s Greatness

Xavi Hernandez — Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Xavi Hernández was the brain behind Barcelona and Spain’s midfield dominance, winning four Champions Leagues and two European Championships, plus a World Cup. He made the complex look simple. Despite three consecutive third-place finishes between 2009 and 2011, he never topped the Ballon d’Or vote. His selfless brilliance often went unnoticed — but without Xavi, tiki-taka would never have worked.

6. Luis Suárez – The Sharpshooter in the Shadows

Luis Suárez was electrifying at Liverpool and devastating at Barcelona, scoring 59 goals in one season and helping win the treble. His ability to blend goalscoring and playmaking was unmatched. Disciplinary issues and Messi’s dominance at Barca kept him out of the Ballon d'Or’s top three. At his peak, defenders couldn’t lay a glove on him — and he deserved far more global acclaim.

5. Robert Lewandowski – The Striker Who Lost to Timing

Robert Lewandowski seemed destined for the Ballon d’Or in 2020 after a 55-goal season and a Bayern treble, but the award was canceled due to COVID-19. He came second to Messi in 2021, despite 62 goals. With over 600 career goals and countless trophies, Lewandowski’s legacy is secure. He may yet win it, but even if he doesn't, he’ll go down as one of the best pure strikers ever.

4. Neymar – The Superstar Who Could’ve Been More

Neymar’s magic at Barcelona made him a Ballon d’Or contender, finishing third twice. He combined flair, efficiency, and elegance like few others in the modern era. But his move to PSG saw injuries and off-field distractions derail his momentum. Though still Brazil’s top scorer, Neymar’s prime years now feel like a missed opportunity for greatness.

3. Wayne Rooney – England’s Undervalued Icon

Wayne Rooney carried expectations from age 16 and still overdelivered. Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, five-time Premier League winner, and Champions League champion — his CV is elite. He finished only fifth in Ballon d’Or voting at his peak. Constant criticism and high expectations clouded appreciation of his brilliance, but Rooney remains England’s greatest talent of the modern era.

2. Thierry Henry – The Premier League’s Greatest Artist

Jose Breton- Pics Action / Shutterstock.com

Thierry Henry dazzled in the Premier League with unmatched grace and devastating output. A record four-time Golden Boot winner, he led Arsenal’s Invincibles and remains the club’s top scorer. His 2003 campaign deserved Ballon d'Or glory, but he finished behind Nedved. Henry later won the Champions League and World Cup — but football’s top individual honor still eluded him.

1. Andrés Iniesta – The Magician Who Made Football Sing

Andrés Iniesta defined elegance on the pitch, dominating midfield battles with technique and vision. He scored Spain’s World Cup-winning goal and was instrumental in every major trophy for club and country. Despite two podium finishes, he never claimed the Ballon d'Or. France Football later apologized — but fans always knew: Iniesta didn’t need the trophy to be remembered as one of the greatest.