Several of football’s most celebrated players have missed out on a top-three finish in the Ballon d’Or despite enjoying remarkable careers, winning major trophies and delivering outstanding individual performances.
Although Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the award between 2008 and 2017, the fierce competition during their era prevented several other world-class footballers from securing a podium position.
According to a report by Planet Football on Friday, Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Luis Suárez, alongside Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, are among nine notable players who never finished in the Ballon d’Or top three.
1. Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez is arguably one of the most surprising omissions from the Ballon d’Or podium, particularly considering his exceptional performances for Liverpool during the 2013/14 campaign.
The Uruguayan striker scored 31 Premier League goals, claimed the European Golden Shoe and helped Liverpool mount a serious challenge for the league title.
Despite his remarkable season, Suárez was surprisingly excluded from the 23-man shortlist for the 2014 Ballon d’Or.
Reflecting on the recognition he received, Suárez said: “Everyone brings it to attention, as Gerard Pique said, and what he told me is that they voted me as the best player in the most difficult league in the world, or one of the most difficult.”
He also pointed out that he finished as Europe’s leading goalscorer but preferred not to make further comments to avoid controversy.
After moving to Barcelona in 2014, Suárez continued to shine, helping the Spanish club win the treble during the 2014/15 season alongside Messi and Neymar.
He also scored 59 goals across all competitions in the 2015/16 campaign. However, Messi, Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann occupied the top three positions in the Ballon d’Or voting that year.
2. Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale enjoyed an impressive spell at Real Madrid, winning five UEFA Champions League titles and delivering decisive performances in several major finals.
The Welsh forward also made his mark internationally, helping Wales reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Despite his achievements, Bale never progressed beyond sixth place in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
His remarkable pace, goalscoring ability and performances on big occasions were not enough to earn him a podium finish during an era of fierce competition.
3. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah established himself as one of the Premier League’s most outstanding attackers during his time at Liverpool, winning several major domestic and European honours.
The Egyptian forward played an important role in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 and their Premier League title success in the 2019/20 season.
Despite his impressive goalscoring record and individual contributions, Salah has never secured a place among the Ballon d’Or’s top three.
In 2019, his Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk finished second behind Messi following the club’s Champions League success, while Salah missed out on a podium position.
Nevertheless, his achievements have cemented his reputation as one of the finest footballers of his generation.
4. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba remains one of the most influential strikers of his generation, having played a significant role in Chelsea’s success and established himself as an African football icon.
The Ivorian was particularly instrumental in Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League triumph, scoring in the final against Bayern Munich before converting the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Despite his contribution, Drogba could only manage eighth position in the 2012 Ballon d’Or rankings.
The limited presence of African footballers among the award’s top finishers has also attracted attention over the years. George Weah remains the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or, claiming the honour in 1995, while Sadio Mané finished second in 2022.
Drogba’s remarkable achievements at both club and international levels make his absence from the podium particularly noteworthy.
5. Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti dedicated his entire senior club career to Roma, becoming one of the most respected one-club footballers in modern history.
The Italian playmaker was widely admired for his creativity, technical quality, vision and intelligence on the pitch. Even three-time Ballon d’Or winner Michel Platini acknowledged his footballing ability.
Totti guided Roma to the Serie A title in the 2000/01 season and finished fifth in that year’s Ballon d’Or rankings.
His decision to remain with Roma instead of moving to a European powerhouse such as Real Madrid may have affected his chances of winning the individual award, particularly given the club’s limited success in the Champions League.
Nevertheless, his loyalty and contributions made him one of the most celebrated figures in Italian football.
6. Roy Keane
Roy Keane was a central figure in Manchester United’s midfield during much of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful managerial era.
The former Republic of Ireland captain played a crucial role in United’s historic treble-winning campaign in 1998/99, providing leadership, determination and tactical discipline.
However, Keane never finished higher than sixth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
During an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, the former midfielder expressed disbelief when his highest position was mentioned.
“Sixth!?” he responded when informed of his ranking.
“Me coming sixth makes it a bit of a joke, doesn’t it?”
Considering his influence on one of Europe’s most successful teams, his failure to secure a podium finish remains remarkable.
7. Wayne Rooney
Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is another club legend who never managed to finish among the Ballon d’Or’s top three.
The club’s all-time leading goalscorer won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and three League Cups during his time at Old Trafford.
He also enjoyed a successful international career with England, becoming one of the country’s highest goalscorers.
Although he did not achieve the same individual recognition as his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney maintained an impressive level of performance throughout his career.
His versatility, creativity and goalscoring ability established him as one of the leading forwards of his generation, but he never secured a podium position.
8. Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo was celebrated for his outstanding passing ability, composure and exceptional talent for controlling matches from midfield.
The Italian midfielder won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with his country and enjoyed considerable success with AC Milan and Juventus.
Despite his impressive achievements, Pirlo never finished among the Ballon d’Or’s top three.
His exceptional quality received further recognition in 2020 when France Football selected him for its all-time Ballon d’Or Dream Team.
However, he was placed in the second team, rather than the first, which featured some of football’s greatest midfielders and attacking players.
His failure to secure a podium finish remains surprising considering his influence and accomplishments at the highest level.
9. Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben was one of the most dangerous wingers of his generation, renowned for his speed, dribbling skills and trademark move of cutting inside from the right before shooting with his left foot.
The Dutchman played a decisive role in Bayern Munich’s historic treble-winning campaign in 2012/13, scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
Despite his outstanding contributions, Robben never finished among the Ballon d’Or’s top three.
Former Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge expressed disappointment over the winger’s omission in 2014.
“The fact that Arjen Robben failed to make the top three was a shame,” Rummenigge said.
“It’s barely possible to play better than he has in the last year and a half.”
Robben’s absence from the podium was particularly noticeable during the period when Messi and Ronaldo dominated the award, finishing first and second respectively in 2013.
Messi and Ronaldo’s Dominance
The extraordinary dominance of Messi and Ronaldo during the late 2000s and 2010s made it increasingly difficult for other footballers to break into the Ballon d’Or’s top three.
Their consistent excellence left limited opportunities for other outstanding players, including those who won major trophies and produced exceptional individual performances.
For players such as Suárez, Salah, Drogba, Bale and Robben, missing out on a podium finish does little to diminish their remarkable achievements.
Their careers demonstrate that football greatness goes beyond individual awards, particularly during an era dominated by two of the game’s greatest players.
