The dark side of the Balon d'Or

Sometimes snobbed, other mistreated, it has been incorporated in other prizes before and now is independent again. The Balon D’or is still the maximum individual aspiration of every great football player, and in its winners list you can find the names of whom has written the history of this game. Nevertheless, the list of those who, even if deserving it, have never succeeded in reaching the goals is long.

There are champions who have been stopped one step away from glory, in a second position that has the taste of the forgetfulness. The first name that comes to mind is that of Gianluigi Buffon, who in 2006 had to make space to the legendary actions of his captain Fabio Cannavaro. Or the one of Thierry Henry, immense Arsenal captain, and leader. There are are also more or less surprising names such as Gary Lineker or Pedrag Mijatovic.

#1986 GARY LINEKER (winner Igor Belanov)

#1993 DENNIS BERGKAMP (winner Roberto Baggio) 

#1997 PEDRAG MIJATOVIC (winner Ronaldo)

#1999 DAVID BECKHAM (winner Rivaldo)

#2001 RAUL GONZALES BLANCO (winner Michael Owen)

#2002 ROBERTO CARLOS (winner Ronaldo)

#2003 THIERRY HENRY (winner Pavel Nedved)

#2004 DECO (winner Andriy Shevchenko) 

#2005 FRANK LAMPARD (winner Ronaldinho)

#2006 GIANLUIGI BUFFON (winner Fabio Cannavaro) / #1973 DINO ZOFF (winner Johan Cruyff)