Football Legends Who Shockingly Never Won the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in world football. Every year, it crowns the best player on the planet, but history shows that some of the greatest names to ever play the game never lifted the golden ball.
For defenders, the award has always been a difficult dream. Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, and Roberto Carlos were not just good players—they were icons who defined an era of defending. They inspired generations, won countless trophies, and set standards for excellence. Yet, because the Ballon d’Or often favors goal scorers and flashy attackers, these defensive giants were overlooked.
Goalkeepers have faced the same fate. Gianluigi Buffon and Oliver Kahn were leaders between the posts, carrying their teams to Champions League finals and even World Cup glory. Still, the golden prize slipped through their gloves.
In midfield, the most painful omissions are Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. Together, they orchestrated Barcelona’s tiki-taka style and powered Spain’s golden era, winning World Cups and European Championships. However, playing in the same era as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo meant their brilliance was overshadowed by record-breaking numbers.
Even some of football’s deadliest forwards never won it. Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s all-time top scorer, and Raúl González, Real Madrid’s legendary striker, both missed out despite years of dominance.
The trend continues in modern football. Neymar Jr., Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and Virgil van Dijk have all come close, but none have been crowned. Some were victims of timing, while others were blocked by the Messi-Ronaldo dominance that lasted more than a decade.
But here’s the real question: does not winning the Ballon d’Or reduce their greatness? For fans worldwide, the answer is simple—these players remain timeless legends whose impact on football will never fade.
