Oct 30, 2023, 08:34 PM IST
Football: Top 5 Ballon d'Or Robberies
Robert Lewandowski (2020)
The Ballon d'Or was Lewandowski's if the French authorities did not cancel the ceremony due to COVID-19. With 55-goals in a season, it was a travesty that the Pole missed out on the trophy.
Virgil van Dijk (2019)
Virgil van Dijk's peak as a centre back is perhaps the greatest there has ever been. He missed out on the Ballon d'Or by only seven votes as Lionel Messi won the coveted trophy.
Wesley Sneijder (2010)
Sneijder played a pivotal part in Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan achieving a historic treble. He scored one and set up another as Messi's Barcelona were beaten in UCL semifinal. The Dutch reached World Cup final riding on Sneijder's performances.
Cristiano Ronaldo (2018)
Having netted 44 goals in the season, Ronaldo was unlucky to miss out on the trophy to his Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric. He played a key role in Real Madrid's 13th Champions League triumph as well.
Thierry Henry (2003)
Having netted 24 goals and 25 assists for Arsenal in the season - a record still intact, it was cruel that Henry was denied the Ballon d'Or. Juventus' Pavel Nedved was picked ahead of Henry for the trophy.