Top 10 Biggest Ballon d'Or Robbery EVER - Ranked

The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious individual award, given annually to the best player based on the previous season. While the award has been won by countless legends, it has also sparked fierce debates over controversial decisions and unforgettable Ballon d'Or robbery moments. For decades, the award has been debated and at times disputed by fans, pundits, and even the players themselves.

Over the years, several players have had career-defining seasons only to be overlooked in favour of narratives or plain bias. These decisions have put forward some of the most infamous Ballon d'Or robbery in football history, sparking endless debates.

From legends like Thierry Henry being denied their rightful recognition, to modern-day icons like Robert Lewandowski missing out despite historic numbers, the Ballon d’Or has a long history of questionable calls and is a regular topic in the Ballon d'Or robbery list of all time.

With the Ballon d'Or 2025 coming up, an important question arises: what are the biggest Ballon d’Or robbery moments of all time? Let’s explore the Top 10 Ballon d’Or robberies ever, taking a look at the unlucky players who missed out, and the ones who won the prestigious award over them.

10. Raul (2001) – should have beaten Michael Owen

In 2001, Raul had one of his career best seasons with Real Madrid. He topped the goal-scoring charts in both La Liga and the Champions League, leading Real Madrid to the league title and cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards. Raul’s blend of consistency, leadership, and big-match performance made him the standout candidate for the Ballon d'Or. However, the award went to Michael Owen, who had a good season with Liverpool, winning the FA Cup and UEFA Cup, but never dominating Europe like Raul. Many fans still consider it one of the biggest Ballon d'or robbery in football history..

9. Thierry Henry (2003) – should have beaten Pavel Nedvěd

Thierry Henry’s 2002/03 campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. The Frenchman scored 32 goals and had a staggering 23 assists, making him one of the most complete forwards in the world. He won the FA Cup and guided Arsenal to a deep run into Europe, playing football at a level few could match. Despite his brilliance, the award went to Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedvěd, who was influential for his side but individually far behind Henry’s dominant season. This is often cited as one of the classic examples of a Ballon d'Or robbery in football history.

8. Franck Ribéry (2013) – should have beaten Cristiano Ronaldo

Franck Ribéry was the centrepiece of Bayern Munich’s treble-winning side in 2013. He dictated play from the left wing, captivating everyone with his creativity and delivering when it mattered in big games in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. Ribéry even won the UEFA Best Player in Europe award, further strengthening his position as a contender for the Ballon d’Or. However, the award was won by Cristiano Ronaldo, who had an incredible goal tally, despite not winning any major trophies, which earned him the award. Ribéry later admitted he felt robbed, and to this day, many fans see 2013 as the year of one of the biggest modern-day Ballon d'Or robbery.

7. Arjen Robben (2014) – should have beaten Cristiano Ronaldo

Arjen Robben’s 2014 season was one of his career bests. He was Bayern Munich’s most dangerous player and instrumental in the 2014 World Cup, carrying the Netherlands to the World Cup semifinals, producing match-winning performances against Spain, Chile, and Mexico. His dribbling, pace, and big-game goals defined the year, making him one of the most unstoppable players in the world. However, when it came to the Ballon d’Or, voters once again favoured Cristiano Ronaldo, whose statistical brilliance shadowed Robben's unforgettable.

6. Erling Haaland (2023) – should have beaten Lionel Messi

Erling Haaland’s debut season at Manchester City was nothing short of historic. The Norwegian striker smashed goal-scoring records with 52 goals, guiding City to a treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. His dominance in front of the goal was unmatched, redefining what a modern striker could achieve in a single season. Yet the Ballon d’Or was won by Lionel Messi, primarily for his 2022 World Cup victory with Argentina. While Messi’s involvement in Argentina's World Cup victory is undeniable, many argue that Haaland’s consistency across an entire year makes him more deserving. This remains a modern-day example of a narrative winning over numbers.

5. Andrés Iniesta (2010 and 2012) – should have beaten Lionel Messi

Andrés Iniesta was arguably the most instrumental piece of Spain’s golden generation, and he was at the very heart of their dominance. In 2010, he scored the World Cup-winning goal against the Netherlands, crowning Spain as champions. Two years later, he played at Euro 2012, winning Player of the Tournament as Spain won another major trophy. Both times, he was widely considered to win the Ballon d’Or. But his intelligence and brilliance were overshadowed by Messi’s goal-scoring records, who managed to win the Ballon d'Or in both seasons. Many still argue that Andrés Iniesta deserved the prestigious award at least once during those years.

4. Xavi Hernández (2009 and 2011) – should have beaten Lionel Messi

Xavi Hernández was the conductor of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona and Spain’s dominant golden eras. His vision, passing, and intelligence dictated games, making him arguably the most influential midfielder of his generation. During Spain’s Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 victories, and Barcelona’s era of dominance, Xavi was consistently the mastermind behind the success. However, in the Ballon d’Or voting, he never came close to surpassing Messi, whose statistics overshadowed Xavi’s in-game brilliance. Many argue that without Xavi, neither Barcelona nor Spain would have reached such heights, making the lack of a Ballon d’Or in his illustrious career a mystery.

3. Virgil van Dijk (2019) – should have beaten Lionel Messi

Virgil van Dijk had a phenomenal 2018/19 season with Liverpool, anchoring their defence and leading them to a Champions League final while also dominating the Premier League. His composure, leadership, and defensive prowess, transforming Liverpool into one of the hardest teams to break down in Europe. Despite this, the Ballon d’Or went to Lionel Messi, whose statistical brilliance overshadowed Van Dijk’s game-changing influence. Fans and pundits felt it was a clear injustice, as the Dutch defender’s consistency, impact, and ability to control matches arguably made him the most deserving player that year.

2. Robert Lewandowski (2020) – robbed by the pandemic

Robert Lewandowski’s 2019/20 season was one of the historic seasons for a striker. He scored 55 goals across all competitions, leading Bayern Munich to a treble, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. He was not only a goal machine but also decisive in the big games, firmly establishing himself as the best player in the world. Yet in a cruel twist, France Football cancelled the 2020 Ballon d’Or due to the pandemic, even though football competitions had resumed. Had it been awarded, Lewandowski was the clear, undisputed winner — one of the biggest Ballon d'Or robbery moments ever.

1. Wesley Sneijder (2010) – should have beaten Lionel Messi

Wesley Sneijder enjoyed his career-best season in 2010. He was the architect of Inter Milan’s historic treble, playing a historic role in their Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League victory. On the international stage, he led the Netherlands all the way to the World Cup final, finishing as the joint-top scorer of the tournament. Statistically and in terms of trophies, no one had a stronger chance to be the Ballon d'Or winner. However, Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or. Despite being brilliant and winning LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup, he failed to shine at the World Cup. Sneijder didn’t even make the top three, making it the biggest Ballon d'Or robbery in football history.