The world of football had several best players on their club and international level. However, many of them they never had at least one chance to win Ballon d’Or or FIFA Ballon d’Or.
Now let’s see 10 best players who never won this great award, while they deserved it:
10. Arjen Robben
Dutch international Arjen Robben has been probably one of the most underrated footballers in the World for close to a decade now. His trickery, hard work, dedication and blistering pace is what makes him one of the most dangerous players in the World.
He has won everything available in the game apart from the World Cup which has evaded the Netherlands twice in the last two World Cups. They came second in South Africa 2010 and third in Brazil 2014. He has been nominated several times for FIFA Ballon d’Or but has not quite got there. He is an amazing player to watch and we might realize that when his career comes to an end in few years time.
Robben career medals
- Eredivise title
- Premier League title x2
- FA Cup
- Football League Cup x2
- La Liga title
- Bundesliga title x 4
- DFB- Pokal x 4
- Champions League
- UEFA Super Cup
- World Club Cup
9. Alessandro Del Piero
Del Piero as he is known to many was in his days a master of his art. Juventus was the stage and football was the dance. He danced through Serie A, Champions League and even World Cup in 2006. He is up there with the likes of Maldini, Canavaro, Baggio among others. What is quite surprising is that he never even came close to winning the Ballon d’Or which is a pity. He should have won it and we all know that
8. Steven Gerrard
We all know what the Liverpool legend has achieved in his illustrious career at Anfield. Most notable being the 2005 Champions League trophy that went down in history as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the game. He is not only a Reds Legend but also the Premier League and football in general. He played with his heart and was never shy to show his love for the club. When you look at the available records it is shocking that he did not get the chance to lift the award. The closest he came was in 2005 when he came third. Ronaldinho won it that year.
Gerrard trophies at Liverpool
- FA Cup: 2001,2006
- Football League Cup: 2001,2003,2012
- FA Community Shield: 2006
- UEFA Champions League: 2005
- 2001: UEFA Cup
- UEFA Super Cup: 2001,2005
7. Raul Gonzalez
Like Ryan Giggs, It is difficult to understand how Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez did not lay his hands on the FIFA Ballon d’Or. Up until now he still remains Los Blancos highest goal scorer with 323 goals. The Spaniard scored 40 goals for Spain national team. He won the Champions League three times among other accolades. Raul surely wasn’t the most talented but his achievements deserved a major recognition.
Raul medals at Real Madrid
- Intercontinental Cup: 1998, 2002
- UEFA Champions League: 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02
- UEFA Super Cup: 2002
- La Liga: 1994–95, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08
- Supercopa de España: 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008
6. Peter Schmeichel
In 1963, Lev Yashin became the first and the only goalkeeper to win the coveted Ballon d’Or award. No other shot stopper has won it to date. It’s a shame because former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel deserved it too.
Fans around the World, will agree with me that he was without a doubt one of the most amazing shot stoppers in the modern game. He won a whooping 5 Premier League titles and that famous Champions League trophy in 1999. He was so impressive in goal that opponent players feared him. His trade mark reflex saves will forever remain in the memories of many people.
5. Thierry Henry
It is still difficult to understand how Thierry Henry did not win the coveted Ballon d’Or. The former French international came close several times but ended up losing to players like Milan forward Andriy Shevchenko in 2004 despite the fact that he had achieved more that year. Take for instance that invincible year where Henry scored 30 league goals and 7 in Europe compared to Shevchenko 4 in 11 games.
Henry records are well known. He is still the only player to have won the highest number of Premier League Golden Boots, 5 French Player of the Year Awards, Arsenal’s all time top Goal Scorer, France top goal scorer and 3 time FWA Player of the Year. The Gunners Legend scored 226 goals wining two Premier League titles and three FA Cups between 1997-2007. He deserved to win it.
4. Paul Scholes
It is still difficult for many Manchester United fans to believe that Paul Scholes, their midfield maestro for over two decades is gone for good. He still looks so good anytime he features in legends games and many would argue that maybe he had few more years left in his legs. However, that will remain just a wish because he is gone for good. The only place you can see him is in training grounds and maybe behind the camera lens.
The most shocking highlight in his career though is the fact that he never got a chance to lay his hands on the only award he deserved, FIFA Ballon d’Or. Like Xavi and Thierry it is beyond any imagination that Scholes was never recognized.
Scholes career medals
- Premier League (11): 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
- FA Cup (3): 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
- Football League Cup (2): 2008–09, 2009–10
- FA Community Shield (5): 1996, 1997, 2003, 2008, 2010
- UEFA Champions League (2):1998–99, 2007–08
- Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999
- FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008
3. Paolo Maldini
He is arguably the best defender of all time. He won absolutely everything that is there to be won in football. From Serie A to Champions League to the World Cup, Maldini won it all. FIFA Ballon d’Or though eluded him throughout his entire career. In 1994 Maldini came third behind Hristo Stoichkov and Roberto Baggio. He came third once again in 2003 this time losing to Pavel Nedved. It is a shame that one of the most decorated defender in the history of football will not appear in the list of Ballon d’Or winners when history will be analysed.
Maldini trophies at AC Milan
- Serie A (7): 1987–88, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
- Coppa Italia (1): 2002–03
- Supercoppa Italiana (5): 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004
- European Cup/Champions League (5): 1988–89, 1989–90, 1993–94, 2002–03, 2006–07
- UEFA Super Cup (5): 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007
- Intercontinental Cup (2): 1989, 1990
- FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2007
2. Ryan Giggs
He is the most decorated British player in history of football. He played 963 games for Manchester United wining 34 trophies. The reason why Ryan Giggs never even came close to winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or is still a mystery. One can say that he has no history when it comes to the national team but Andriy Shevchenko won it 2004 despite the fact that his country never even came close to winning any tournament.
Giggs Manchester United achievements
- 963 games for Manchester United
- 672 league appearances
- 151 Champions League appearances
- 109 league goals
- 45 opponents in the Premier League
- 34 trophies
- 13 Premier League titles
- 4 FA Cups
- 2 Champions Leagues
- 1 club World Cup
1. Xavi Hernandez
The fact that Xavi Hernandez did not win FIFA Ballon d’Or is a shame not only to FIFA and UEFA but also to football in general. Many people have claimed that Messi without Xavi and Iniesta is totally a different package all together. He was the engine of the team for so many years. He came close but did not win it. History will judge us harshly for not honoring the tiki taka master with FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
Xavi medals at Barcelona
- La Liga: 1998–99, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15
- Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15
- Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
- UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
- UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011
- International
- FIFA World Cup: 2010
- UEFA European Football Championship: 2008, 2012
- Summer Olympics Silver Medal: 2000
- FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Medal: 2013
- FIFA World Youth Championship: 1999
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