Nine Outstanding Players Who Could Have Won Ballon d’Or Awards Without Messi and Ronaldo

The era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has seen them dominate the footballing world for nearly 15 years. These two legends have held a firm grip on the Ballon d’Or trophy, with only rare exceptions. 

However, beneath their extraordinary reign lie nine exceptional players who, in different circumstances, could have secured at least one Ballon d’Or. Let’s explore these talents and the years when they could have claimed the prestigious award.

1. Fernando Torres (Potential win: 2008) 

In 2008, Fernando Torres enjoyed a stellar debut season with Liverpool, netting 33 goals and contributing to Spain’s Euro 2008 victory. Without Ronaldo’s historic Premier League performance, Torres would have been the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or.

2. Xavi Hernandez (Potential wins: 2009 & 2011)

Xavi, the midfield maestro, played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s success, including their 2009 Champions League win and their 2011 domination. In different circumstances, he could have clinched the Ballon d’Or in both these years.

3. Andres Iniesta (Potential wins: 2010 & 2012) 

Another Barcelona gem, Andres Iniesta, was instrumental in Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph and their Euro 2012 victory. His performances could have warranted Ballon d’Or recognition in these years.

4. Franck Ribery (Potential win: 2013)

In 2013, Franck Ribery led Bayern Munich to a treble, including a Champions League triumph. His exceptional season made him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, which he might have won had it not been for Ronaldo.

5. Manuel Neuer (Potential win: 2014)

 Manuel Neuer’s brilliance in 2014, including a World Cup win with Germany and numerous awards, made him a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or. However, Ronaldo’s form for Real Madrid was unbeatable.

6. Neymar (Potential wins: 2015 & 2017) 

Neymar’s partnership with Messi at Barcelona was prolific. In 2015, he was a goal-scoring sensation, and in 2017, he continued to excel. In an alternate reality, Neymar could have claimed the Ballon d’Or in both these years.

7. Antoine Griezmann (Potential win: 2016) 

Antoine Griezmann’s 2016 season with Atletico Madrid was remarkable, leading them to the Champions League final and France to the Euro 2016 final. Despite his stellar performances, he narrowly missed out on the Ballon d’Or due to Ronaldo’s prowess.

8. Virgil van Dijk (Potential win: 2019) 

In 2019, Virgil van Dijk’s impact at Liverpool was undeniable, helping them win the Champions League. He came close to breaking Messi and Ronaldo’s dominance but fell short due to their incredible standards.

9. Robert Lewandowski (Potential win: 2021) 

Robert Lewandowski’s goal-scoring prowess in 2021 was extraordinary, with an astounding 59 goals in 52 games for Bayern Munich and Poland. His case for the Ballon d’Or was strong, but it eluded him in a year dominated by Messi and Ronaldo.

Despite their remarkable talent, these nine players found themselves in an era overshadowed by the unparalleled brilliance of Messi and Ronaldo. The Ballon d’Or trophy remained just out of reach, leaving us to wonder how their legacies might have differed in a different footballing landscape.