Best XI never to win Ballon d'Or; Arjen Robben & Paolo Maldini included

Did you know Neymar has never won a Ballon d’Or?

For decades, the Ballon d’Or has been a symbol of individual recognition. Winning it means that a player has made a huge difference during the year. However, there are players whose greatness was not confirmed by this award.

How? Although they were so good, but unexpectedly never won the Ballon d’Or. They have influenced their team, they have shone at key moments, and they have left memories that time does not erase. The curious thing is that, despite all this, they have never lifted the award.

Many came close; some came second; others were ignored altogether. But they all have one thing in common: the respect of world football. In this list, an ideal eleven is constructed from legendary players who, for different circumstances, missed out on the Ballon d’Or.

Formation: 4-3-3

The team uses a classic 4-3-3 formation. Each of these names certainly deserve their place in history.

Gianluigi Buffon (Goalkeeper)

Buffon played at the highest level for more than two decades. He was the undisputed leader in goal for Juventus, the Italian national team and every team he played for. He won the World Cup in 2006 and was key during that tournament.

At club level, Buffon won multiple leagues and cups, as well as reaching three Champions League finals. Despite his consistency and being considered by many as the best goalkeeper of the 21st century, he was never awarded the Ballon d’Or. On several occasions, the Italian was among the finalists.

But the award always went to someone more offensive. The lack of recognition for goalkeepers weighs heavily, and Buffon is one of the most affected.

Cafu (Right-back)

The Brazilian was a machine on the right flank. Cafu combined pace, intelligence and technique with stamina. Captain of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning side, and part of the team that also lifted the Cup in 1994, his legacy extends beyond titles.

In European football, Cafu shone with AS Roma and AC Milan. He won the Champions League title and was always brutally consistent. Yet his work did not capture the attention of Ballon d’Or voters, who rarely reward full-backs.

Cafu deserved more recognition than he received.

Franco Baresi (Central Defender)

Baresi was synonymous with defensive leadership. While being the captain of AC Milan for years, he organised an unforgettable backline that dominated Europe in the 1980s and 1990s. He was not only a tough marker; he also understood the game like few central defenders.

Baresi had an exquisite sense of positioning. With Italy, Baresi was a finalist in 1994 and a World Cup winner in 1982. Yet he was never among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or.

Being a central defender doesn’t help, but Baresi was out of the ordinary. His elegance and strength make him one of the best defenders ever to not receive the golden trophy.

Paolo Maldini (Centre-back)

Maldini represented defensive excellence for almost three decades. He played more than 900 games for Milan. He won five Champions League titles and several league titles.

In the Italian national team, Maldini was also a star for years, although he did not win international titles. He anticipated, read the game and transmitted confidence. Maldini played in various positions, but always at the same level.

However, Maldini never won the Golden Ball. He came close, but it always went to an attacker. It is incomprehensible that such a complete player does not have it in his trophy cabinet.

Roberto Carlos (Left-back)

The Brazilian was a constant spectacle. His power, his impossible shots, his attacking ability and his pace made him unique. He won the Champions League with Real Madrid and was a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002.

Carlos also had a left foot capable of deciding games from any distance. Throughout his career, he accumulated titles and historic moments. Despite this, he was denied the Ballon d’Or.

Probably his position weighed against him, although in terms of impact, goals and titles, his name should have been awarded. In the memory of the fans, Roberto Carlos will always shine brighter than many who did win the award.

Claude Makélélé (Defensive Midfielder)

Makélélé redefined his position. So much so that to this day, his surname is used to describe the modern holding role. At Real Madrid and Chelsea, he was pivotal.

Without him, teams lost balance, and with him, everything worked better. He was not a player who scored goals or provided spectacular assists, but without his presence, the creative players did not shine. Claude’s tactical intelligence and ability to win balls back were vital.

However, Calude was never in the Ballon d’Or orbit. His discreet style made him invisible to the voters, but his influence was gigantic.

Xavi Hernández (Inside right)

Xavi was the driving force behind Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona and the lynchpin of Spain’s dominance in the 2010s. His vision, passing accuracy and control of pace were unmatched. He won everything: Champions League, European Championships, World Cup.

The Spaniard was the mastermind behind all those successes. In 2009, 2010 and 2011, he was on the podium of the Ballon d’Or. But there was always someone who took it.

Messi, Cristiano, and even Iniesta came close, but the award never went to him. If anyone deserved the award for his impact on the way football is played, it was Xavi.

Andrés Iniesta (inside left)

Iniesta worked magic with the ball. His vision, dribbling and ability to pop up at key moments were defining characteristics. He scored the most important goal in Spain’s history, the one in the 2010 World Cup final.

Iniesta also won the European Championships, the Champions League and league titles with Barça. He came second in the Ballon d’Or in 2010. Many thought that year was his, but the voting did not favour him.

Iniesta was always humble, almost silent, but his performances spoke for him. Without the trophy, he is still at the top of world football.

Arjen Robben (Right winger)

The Dutchman was unpredictable, electric and lethal. Although everyone knew he was going to cut back to his left foot, almost no one could avoid it. Robben shone for Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Real Madrid and the Netherlands national team.

He won the Champions League and league titles and was a World Cup finalist in 2010. In 2014, he had one of his best years, but even then, he failed to make the Ballon d’Or finalists. Injuries cut short several of his shining moments, but his talent was never in doubt.

He was one of the most decisive wingers of his generation.

Robert Lewandowski (Centre forward)

Lewandowski is a goal machine. At Borussia Dortmund, he excelled from a young age, but with Bayern Munich, he reached his peak. In 2020, when the Pole won everything, it looked like the Ballon d’Or would be his.

But the award was cancelled that year for organisational reasons. That was the hardest blow. The following year, he came close, but Messi took the award.

Lewandowski broke records, was lethal, and won titles. But the most symbolic trophy still eludes him. His case is one of the most debated when talking about injustice in this award.

Thierry Henry (Left winger)

The Frenchman was an unstoppable force at Arsenal; he had technique, pace and goals. He dominated in the Premier League for years and then won the Champions League with Barcelona. With France, he was the World and European champion.

He was always among the best. In 2003, Henry was runner-up for the Ballon d’Or. It seemed inevitable that one day he would win it.

But it didn’t happen. His elegance, his match-deciding ability and his consistency should have earned him recognition. Henry remains an icon, though the award never came.

Notable mention:

Neymar Jr

Neymar displayed his talent right from the start of his career at Santos. At Barcelona, he was a key part of the trident with Messi and Suárez. The Brazilian won the Champions League and league titles with memorable performances.

Later, at PSG, he led an ambitious project, although injuries and controversial decisions slowed his progress. With Brazil, Neymar won the Olympics and the Confederations Cup, but the World Cup always eluded him. In years like 2015 and 2017, he deserved to be at the top, but did not have the chance.

Neymar’s quality, vision and dribbling were epoch-making. Although he never lifted the Ballon d’Or, nobody can dispute his talent.

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