The 10 Greatest Players Never to Win the Ballon d’Or – Ranked

September 23, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

The Ballon d'Or is considered the pinnacle of individual achievement in football, a golden prize that separates the very best from the merely great. Since its inception in 1956 and global expansion in 1995, it has been awarded to legends like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Zinedine Zidane — players who defined eras and changed the game forever. Winning it is not just about talent, but also timing, narrative, and the right mix of trophies, stats, and influence.

But football is not always fair. Some of the sport’s most extraordinary players, despite their brilliance, never saw their name etched on the trophy. They scored hundreds of goals, dictated games on the biggest stages, lifted league titles and Champions Leagues — and yet came up short in the final voting. Whether overshadowed by generational rivals, playing in the wrong era, or simply unlucky, these icons remain glaring omissions from the Ballon d'Or roll of honour.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimović

Zlatan Ibrahimovic — Vlad1988 / Shutterstock.com

Zlatan Ibrahimović is a symbol of longevity and relentless ambition, winning 11 league titles in four different countries and scoring over 570 career goals. He is third among the highest scorers of the century behind Messi and Ronaldo, yet his best Ballon d'Or finish was only fourth. His failure to win the Champions League hurt his case, but his unique style and box-office charisma make him one of a kind.

9. Raúl González

Raúl was Real Madrid’s talisman during their golden era, scoring 228 goals and winning three Champions League titles. In 2001, he was arguably the best player in Europe but lost the Ballon d'Or to Michael Owen despite outscoring him. His leadership and consistency made him a Galáctico before the Galácticos and one of Spain’s all-time greats.

8. Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini was the perfect defender, combining elegance, positional sense, and physical strength to dominate for over two decades. He won five Champions League trophies and seven Serie A titles with AC Milan, becoming a legend of the game. Despite his excellence, he only reached the Ballon d'Or podium once, an incredible oversight given his career achievements.

7. Xavi Hernández

Xavi was the metronome of Barcelona and Spain’s tiki-taka dominance, dictating play with vision and precision. He came third in the Ballon d'Or voting three straight years, but Messi’s brilliance kept him from the top. Without Xavi’s genius in midfield, Barça and Spain’s golden era would never have been as dominant.

6. Luis Suárez

Luis Suárez was one of the most electrifying forwards of his generation, capable of destroying defences on his own. He almost led Liverpool to a Premier League title and later became a key figure in Barcelona’s treble-winning MSN trio. Even after scoring 59 goals in a single season, he never cracked the Ballon d'Or top three, a glaring injustice.

5. Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski’s 2020 Ballon d'Or was cancelled due to COVID-19, denying him the recognition he deserved after a 55-goal, treble-winning season. He followed that with 62 goals the next year but still finished behind Messi. One of the most consistent and clinical strikers in football history, he remains the great No.9 who never got his Golden Ball.

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4. Neymar

Neymar Jr. — imagestockdesign / Shutterstock.com

Neymar lit up Barcelona with 181 goal contributions in 186 matches and was twice third in Ballon d'Or voting. His move to PSG was supposed to elevate him to Ballon d'Or status, but injuries and off-pitch distractions stopped him short. Even so, he is Brazil’s all-time top scorer and one of the most naturally gifted players in football history.

3. Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals and one of the most complete forwards England has ever produced. He won every major club trophy available, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League. Despite all this, he only finished as high as fifth in Ballon d'Or voting, leaving him criminally underappreciated.

2. Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry was the embodiment of elegance and power, dominating the Premier League with four Golden Boots and 226 goals for Arsenal. His 2002–03 season remains one of the best ever, with 32 goals and 20 assists, yet he still lost the Ballon d'Or to Pavel Nedved. Henry later added a Champions League with Barcelona and a World Cup with France, confirming his all-time greatness.

1. Andrés Iniesta

Andreas Iniesta — ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

Andrés Iniesta was football’s ultimate artist, blending creativity, composure, and clutch performances. He scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final and was pivotal in Spain’s and Barcelona’s golden eras. Despite second- and third-place finishes, he never won the Ballon d'Or, an omission that France Football later called a “democratic anomaly.”