Imagine a world where Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never existed. Here’s a list of all the players who would have claimed the Ballon d’Or in their absence.
Since 2008, Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
Between them, they have amassed 13 titles, with Messi leading with eight and Ronaldo following with five. ..Continue Reading
The Argentine superstar secured his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, surpassing Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe for the honor.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo, the former Manchester United star, last won the Ballon d’Or in 2017, edging out Messi and Neymar for the accolade.
Without Messi and Ronaldo, players like Haaland and Neymar would have had the chance to claim the Ballon d’Or.
Remarkably, Neymar, who has never won the Ballon d’Or, would have had two titles to his name.
The era of Messi and Ronaldo’s dominance began in 2008, with both players vying for the award.
In that year, Fernando Torres, who scored 33 goals in 46 games for Liverpool during the 2007/08 season, finished third, meaning he would have won the award.
From 2009 to 2012, Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta would have alternated in winning the Ballon d’Or.
Franck Ribery would have been the Ballon d’Or winner in 2013, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer would have clinched it in 2014, becoming the first goalkeeper to win since Lev Yashin in 1963.
Neymar, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona, would have won two Ballon d’Or awards in three years.
Additionally, Antoine Griezmann, Virgil van Dijk, Robert Lewandowski, and Erling Haaland would have also claimed the Ballon d’Or if Messi and Ronaldo had never existed.
Full list below:
2008 – Fernando Torres
2009 – Xavi
2010 – Andres Iniesta
2011 – Xavi
2012 – Andres Iniesta
2013 – Franck Ribery
2014 – Manuel Neuer
2015 – Neymar
2016 – Antonie Griezmann
2017 – Neymar
2019 – Virgil van Dijk
2021 – Robert Lewandowski
2023 – Erling Haaland
