Check out this crazy list of potential Ballon d’Or winners both past and future if each player could only win once. Manchester United star and World Cup winner included…
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been dominating football for years now, with the Ballon d’Or bouncing back and forth between the La Liga stars. With Barcelona and Real Madrid such giants in European football it’s understandable that they would regularly produce winners, but who would have won the Ballon d’Or each year if any one player could only win the award once?
With Ronaldo and Messi out of the equation who would step up to claim the prestigious title?
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Here are the players who have or would have won the Ballon d’Or over the last decade if each player were only permitted to win once:
2003) Pavel Nedved – Juventus
Nedved was the second Czech player ever to claim the Ballon d’Or. He took the title after carrying Serie A side Juventus to Serie A glory as well as the Champions League final.
2004) Andriy Shevchenko – AC Milan
The Ukrainian led his side to the Serie A title, scoring 24 goals as he went.
The prolific striker was truly at his best in the 2003/2004 season.
2005) Ronaldinho – Barcelona
2004 and 2005 were unbelievable years for the Brazilian, and he was most definitely the undisputed greatest player in the world.
He re-energised the Catalan giants after joining in 2003 from Paris Saint-Germain.
2006) Fabio Cannavaro – Juventus/Real Madrid
A particularly memorable winner as he was the first defender to win the award since Franz Beckenbauer in 1976.
2007) Kaka – AC Milan
The Brazilian superstar won the Champions League with AC Milan, and was practically unplayable at times in Serie A.
He may have failed to live up to his massive potential, but for a time he was one of the best in the world.
2008) Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
Guiding Man United to the Champions League in 2008, the Portuguese star was quickly becoming one of the greatest players ever.
He also helped his side to the Premier League title scoring 31 goals.
2009) Lionel Messi – Barcelona
Undoubtedly one of Messi’s finest years, he eclipsed the previous year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
He helped Barca to not only the Champions League, but also the Spanish league and cup double.
2010) Andres Iniesta – Barcelona
Iniesta scored a late goal in the World Cup final to give Spain the victory over the Netherlands.
He was also instrumental in Barcelona’s success in La Liga.
2011) Xavi – Barcelona
Leading Barcelona to consecutive La Liga titles as well as the Champions League in 2011, Xavi was the beating heart of the Catalan giants.
2012) Radamel Falcao – Atletico Madrid
The Colombian was unbelievably prolific during his years in Madrid, and the club were coming closer and closer to challenging for the La Liga title.
Falcao fired his side to Europa League glory, scoring twice in the final against Athletic Bilbao.
2013) Franck Ribery – Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich won everything there was to win in 2013, thanks in large part to the form of Franck Ribery.
The Bundesliga, Champions League, and domestic cup, Munich completed the treble with ease.
2014) Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
The German international keeper will no doubt lose out to Cristiano Ronaldo, but he should certainly be up for consideration.
A World Cup winner, Bundesliga champion, and unquestionably the greatest keeper in the world at the moment.