The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual accolade in football with every footballer hoping to add the coveted laurel to their shelf.
The prized trophy is usually awarded to the player who has had the most impressive season, both collectively and individually.
Several top players have claimed the trophy since its inception. Barcelona legend and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has won it the most times (8) while his rival Cristiano Ronaldo has won it five times.
There have however been some absolutely top footballers over the years, who for all their skill and achievement haven’t been fortunate enough to win the coveted football prize. We’ll be looking at some of them today, let’s dive in.
Neymar
Neymar is among the top footballers who shone brightly for club and country but never won the Ballon d’Or. The Brazilian won the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, FIFA Club World, Ligue 1, and Trophies des Champions, to mention but a few but did not win the Ballon d’Or.
He has tallied 590 club appearances, scoring 390 goals. On the international scene, he clinched the 2013 Confederation Cup with Brazil and has bagged several individual honours in club and international football. The closest he came to winning the Ballon d’Or was in 2015 and 2017 when he finished third on the rankings.
Luis Suarez
Arguably the greatest striker of his generation, Suarez enjoyed a largely successful career but was never able to claim the Ballon d’Or.
The football great won the La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, FIFA Club World Cup, and Spanish Super Cup, among others. He also claimed the European Golden Boot, as the best goalscorer in Europe on two different occasions.
On the international scene, he led Uruguay to a Copa America triumph in 2011. He has scored 69 goals in 143 international appearances, making him his country’s all-time top scorer.
Overall, Suarez has played a total of 978 games in his career so far, scoring 583 career goals, with 514 of those coming for his club. The closest he came to winning the prized trophy was in 2016 when he came fourth in the rankings.
Andres Iniesta
Barcelona and Spain football legend Andres Iniesta was rated as one of the greatest ball-playing midfielders of his time.
However, he was never able to win the Ballon d’Or during his playing days. The football icon enjoyed a successful career, boasting of a plethora of individual and collective trophies.
In his trophy kit are the La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. On the international scene, he was vital in his country’s 2010 World Cup win, scoring the solitary goal in the final, and was also a key part of Spain’s 2012 Euro triumph.
He won the player of the tournament and was also part of the team that won the Euro in 2008. Overall, he played a total of 1,016 games during his career for club and country and scored a total of 106 goals in that period. The closest the football great came to winning the trophy was in 2011 when he finished runner-up to teammate Lionel Messi.
Robert Lewandowski
One of the greatest goal scorers the game has ever seen, Robert Lewandowski has also not won the Ballon d’Or yet in his illustrious career. The Polish striker has enjoyed success on a collective and individual level so far.
He won the Bundesliga, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, DFB- Pokal, UEFA Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana, and FIFA Club World Cup, as well as individual accolades. He clinched the European Golden Boot on two different occasions, two FIFA Men’s Player of the Award, and several other individual awards.
Despite his remarkable achievement with his club, the 36-year-old has yet to win anything with his national team and hasn’t played any major final with them.
Overall, he has played a total of 1,012 games and scored 702 goals for club and country. The closest he came to winning the Ballon d’Or was in 2021 when he finished second to Lionel Messi.
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen but missed out on the Ballon d’Or during his playing days. The AC Milan legend enjoyed success with AC Milan during his playing days. He won the Serie A, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with them.
Notably, he never won a major trophy with Italy’s national team. He played a total of 1,028 games for club and country throughout his career, scoring 40 goals in that period. 1994 and 2003 were the closest he came to claiming the trophy when he came third on both occasions.
Thierry Henry
The Arsenal and France great never won the Ballon d’Or during his playing days although he established himself as one of the best forwards of his generation. The former France international enjoyed a largely successful career, winning a plethora of individual and collective trophies.
He won the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Copa Del Rey, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, two European Golden Boots, Premier League Player of the Season, Premier League Golden Boots, and every amongst others.
The striker also enjoyed success with the national team, winning the World Cup in 1998 and the Euro in 2000. He played a total of 936 matches and scored 417 goals throughout his career. He came close to winning the prized trophy in 2003 when he finished runner-up to Paul Nedved.
Xavi Hernandez
Xavi Hernandez is another iconic name on the list. The former Barcelona manager adds to the list of all-time greats that never won the Ballon d’Or. Regarded as one of the best midfielders ever, the Spaniard enjoyed success during his playing days, winning the La Liga, Champions League, Copa Del Rey, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup, amongst others.
On the international front, he was a key part of the Spain national team that won the 2008 and 2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup. The iconic midfielder played a total of 1,078 games over the course of his career, scoring 126 goals for club and country. The closest he came to winning the trophy was in 2009, 2010 and 2011 when he finished third on the three occasions.
Eden Hazard
One of the most important figures in Chelsea history, Eden Hazard was highly rated during his playing days. He was never able to win the Ballon d’Or. The Belgian won the Premier League, FA Cup, La Liga, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Copa Del Rey.
He had a decent spell with the Belgium national team, helping the team to a third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup. Overall, Hazard played 761 games during his career and scored a total of 201 goals. An eight-place finish in the 2015 Ballon D’or ranking was the closest he came to winning the prize.
Arjen Robben
The talented Dutchman wasn’t able to win the Ballon d’Or. He was regarded as one of the best wingers of his generation, enjoying success in his club career. He won the Eredivisie, La Liga, Premier League, Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, DFB Pokal, and UEFA Super Cup, amongst others.
With the Netherlands national team, he won a runner-up medal in the 2010 World Cup, losing out to Spain and came third in the 2014 World Cup. He played a total of 710 games for club and country and scored 246 goals. He came closest to winning the trophy in 2013, finishing eighth on the rankings.
