Several of football’s biggest stars have missed out on a top-three finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings despite winning major trophies and delivering outstanding performances at club and international levels.
The award was dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo between 2008 and 2017, leaving limited opportunities for other elite players to reach the podium. According to Planet Football, nine notable names who never achieved the feat include Luis Suárez, Mohamed Salah and Didier Drogba.
1. Luis Suárez
Suárez scored 31 Premier League goals for Liverpool in the 2013-14 season, winning the European Golden Shoe but missing out on the 2014 Ballon d’Or shortlist. He later helped Barcelona win the treble in 2014-15 alongside Messi and Neymar. Despite scoring 59 goals in all competitions in 2015-16, he finished outside the top three, which featured Messi, Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann.
2. Gareth Bale
Bale won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and played decisive roles in several major finals. He also helped Wales reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Despite his speed, goalscoring ability and performances on the biggest stages, the Welsh forward never finished higher than sixth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
3. Mohamed Salah
Salah became one of the Premier League’s leading forwards at Liverpool, helping the club win the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2019-20. His consistent goalscoring earned him global recognition, but he has never secured a Ballon d’Or podium finish. In 2019, Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk finished second behind Messi.
4. Didier Drogba
Drogba was instrumental in Chelsea’s success, particularly during the club’s 2012 Champions League triumph. He scored in the final against Bayern Munich and converted the decisive penalty in the shootout. Despite his influence, the Ivorian finished eighth in the 2012 Ballon d’Or voting. George Weah remains the only African player to have won the award, while Sadio Mané finished second in 2022.
5. Francesco Totti
Totti spent his entire senior club career at Roma, becoming one of Italian football’s most celebrated figures. He helped the club win the Serie A title in 2000-01 and finished fifth in that year’s Ballon d’Or rankings. His technical ability, creativity and loyalty to Roma defined his career, although he never reached the award’s top three.
6. Roy Keane
Keane was a central figure in Manchester United’s midfield under Sir Alex Ferguson and played a key role in the club’s historic treble-winning 1998-99 season. However, the former Republic of Ireland captain never finished higher than sixth in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Reacting to the position on the Stick to Football podcast, he questioned the result, saying, “Me coming sixth makes it a bit of a joke, doesn’t it?”
7. Wayne Rooney
Rooney won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester United, becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. He also established himself as one of England’s most prolific international players. Despite his longevity, versatility and achievements, Rooney never finished among the Ballon d’Or’s top three.
8. Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo won the 2006 World Cup with Italy and enjoyed major domestic success with AC Milan and Juventus. Renowned for his passing range and ability to control the tempo of matches, he became one of the defining midfielders of his generation. Although he never reached the Ballon d’Or podium, France Football included him in its all-time Ballon d’Or Dream Team selection in 2020, placing him in the second team.
9. Arjen Robben
Robben was a key figure in Bayern Munich’s treble-winning 2012-13 campaign, scoring the winning goal against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final. Despite his exceptional performances, the Dutch winger never finished in the Ballon d’Or top three. Former Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge criticised the omission in 2014, saying it was difficult to understand given Robben’s form.
The careers of these nine players highlight the difficulty of competing for individual honours during an era dominated by Messi and Ronaldo. Although none secured a top-three Ballon d’Or finish, their achievements in domestic leagues, European competitions and international football cemented their status among the outstanding players of their generation.
