Football Legends Who Have Never Won the Ballon d'Or
The names are a who's who of footballing greats: Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Andres Iniesta, David Beckham...
These players have enjoyed illustrious careers and amassed numerous trophies, yet they share a striking commonality: none have ever claimed the men's Ballon d'Or.
This prestigious annual award has been presented since 1956, initiated by two French sportswriters aiming to recognize the best talent in the world.
Initially limited to European footballers, the award now encompasses players from around the globe.
The winners' list features an array of superstars, including Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, who have all secured the top accolade.
A significant era began in 2008 when Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi vied for the number one position, dominating the award for the next decade without any other contenders breaking through.
However, several prominent names are notably absent from the list of winners.
The Big Names Missing
Dennis Bergkamp is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, yet, like many others, the Ballon d'Or eluded him. Arsenal broke their transfer record to bring the Dutchman from Inter Milan in 1995, investing £7.5 million wisely.
His tenure at Arsenal was marked by success under Arsene Wenger, winning three league titles, including the 'Invincibles' season in 2003-04, along with three FA Cups. Bergkamp's career included iconic moments, such as his 1997 hat-trick against Leicester and a stunning World Cup goal against Argentina in 1998.
Surprisingly, his only top-three finishes in the Ballon d'Or voting were prior to his time with the Gunners, finishing third in 1992 and second in 1993.
Another Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry , is often considered one of the best players in Premier League history. After joining the Gunners in 1999, he quickly established himself as one of Europe’s most feared strikers, achieving a remarkable record of at least 20 goals and 20 assists in a single season—an accomplishment only matched by Lionel Messi since then.
Henry remains Arsenal’s all-time top scorer with 228 goals in 377 matches and received considerable recognition, yet only managed two top-three finishes in the Ballon d'Or voting.
Neymar , Brazil's record scorer, has over 400 senior career goals and is one of only five players to score 100 goals with three different clubs—Santos, Barcelona, and Paris St-Germain. PSG made headlines by paying a world-record £200 million for his services in 2017, but he has yet to convince Ballon d'Or voters of his status as the world's best player.
Known for his blistering pace and exceptional finishing, Kylian Mbappe is a formidable presence on the field. He made history by becoming the second teenager, after Pele, to score in a World Cup final, helping France secure the trophy in 2018. Mbappe has also dominated Ligue 1 as the top scorer for six consecutive seasons with PSG and made an immediate impact at Real Madrid.
Robert Lewandowski deserves mention as well. Had the 2020 Ballon d'Or not been canceled due to the Covid pandemic, the Polish striker might have claimed the award after a record-breaking season with Bayern Munich, where he netted 55 goals. Following the cancellation, Lewandowski finished second to Lionel Messi the following year.
Erling Haaland has been phenomenal at Manchester City, threatening Alan Shearer's Premier League record of 260 goals. Haaland also made waves in Europe, becoming the fastest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. If he maintains his current scoring rate, he will remain a Ballon d'Or contender in the years to come.
Andres Iniesta , known for his midfield mastery, would likely have a Ballon d'Or trophy had it not been for the extraordinary performances of Messi and Ronaldo. After rising through Barcelona's La Masia academy, Iniesta won 32 trophies over 16 years, including nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues. He also played a pivotal role in Spain's international success, winning a World Cup and two European Championships, and finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting in 2010.
What About the Brits?
The last British winner was Michael Owen in 2001, following his contributions to Liverpool's success in the League Cup, FA Cup, and UEFA Cup. Owen became the sixth player from the British Isles to win the award, joining legends like Stanley Matthews, Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, and Kevin Keegan.
Since then, only a few British players have made it to the Ballon d'Or ranks. Frank Lampard finished second in 2005, with Steven Gerrard third, and Jude Bellingham placed third in 2024, marking a long absence of British players in the top three.
Unlike the legendary Manchester United trio of Law, Charlton, and Best, the 'Class of '92' has not seen Ballon d'Or recognition. Among them, David Beckham made a significant impact in the Premier League, famously scoring a stunning goal from his own half during the 1996-97 season.