Winning the
Ballon d’Or
is frequently associated with emerging victorious
Champions League
, despite numerous previous laureates having claimed the coveted award even without achieving success in Europe.
Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or hopes were recently dashed when Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League on penalties against PSG.
Nevertheless, as history reveals, it is still feasible to secure the Ballon d’Or title without clinching the Champions League trophy. Here are the past seven individuals who achieved this feat.
Rodri (2024)
Although Vinicius Junior was the main focus
strong favorite to claim the Ballon d’Or
Following his outstanding performance for Real Madrid in the 2023-24 Champions League final, Rodri emerged as the winner of the accolade.
The Spanish player had an outstanding season in 2023-24, claiming victory in the Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
In 2024, though, Rodri managed to reach only the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where he was eliminated by Real Madrid.
Actually, it might have been his displays on the global arena that provided him with the advantage over Vinicius during the previous season.
Given his pivotal role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, the holding midfielder secured the Ballon d’Or with only 41 points more than Vinicius.
Lionel Messi (2023, 2021, 2019, 2012, 2010)
Of his eight Ballon d’Or wins, Messi managed to win five of them without winning the Champions League.
Nevertheless, during those seasons when he failed to secure the UCL title, his overall performance in every competition remained exceptionally impressive.
His most recent two victories for the Ballon d’Or were significantly shaped by his play during global competitions, where he claimed victory at the Copa América in 2021 and triumphed at the FIFA World Cup towards the close of 2022.
For each of his Ballon d’Or victories in 2010, 2012, and 2019, Messi indeed progressed far in the Champions League, yet he was eliminated in the semifinal during these respective years.
Cristiano Ronaldo (2013)
Notably, 2013 stood out as the sole instance when Ronaldo claimed the Ballon d’Or title without securing victory in the UEFA Champions League.
Actually, CR7 succeeded in securing the esteemed accolade despite not claiming any significant trophies that year.
Even though Ronaldo did not succeed in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, or the Champions League, he was able to outperform competitors like Messi and Franck Ribery and secure the accolade.
To be fair, Ronaldo was outstanding in 2013, netting an impressive 69 goals in 59 matches throughout the year.
Nevertheless, it is extremely uncommon to be awarded the Ballon d’Or without securing at least one significant trophy, as was the case with Ronaldo that year.
Fabio Cannavaro (2006)
In 2006, Barcelona claimed victory in the Champions League, with Ronaldinho being their top performer at the Ballon d’Or that same year, securing the fourth position.
Nevertheless, as is typically the situation, the World Cup often takes precedence over the Champions League whenever it rolls around every four years.
In 2006, Cannavaro was able to capitalize on this because his outstanding performances with the Italian national team helped him secure the most prestigious individual award in soccer.
Ronaldinho (2005)
In 2005, Liverpool claimed victory in the Champions League, yet Ronaldinho outperformed Steven Gerrard for the Ballon d’Or award that same year.
In the 2004-05 season, Barcelona reached only the round of 16, yet the Brazilian player secured the Ballon d’Or due to his outstanding performances in La Liga.
“This accolade claims I am the top player globally, yet I’m not even the finest talent at Barcelona,” Ronaldinho once remarked to FourFourTwo magazine back in 2005.
One player to keep an eye on would be Lionel Messi. He’s almost like a little brother to me—despite being from Argentina and myself hailing from Brazil, I take care of him. He will undoubtedly excel.
Andriy Shevchenko (2004)
Following Porto’s stunning upset in the Champions League and Greece’s victory at Euro 2004, there was no clear favorite for the Ballon d’Or.
The likes of Deco, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry all competed for it but ultimately lost out to Shevchenko.
To be fair, the Ukrainian striker had an impressive year in 2004, securing both Serie A title and UEFA Super Cup with AC Milan.
Pavel Nedved (2003)
Even though he lost the Champions League final against AC Milan, Nedved still succeeded in winning the Ballon d’Or.
The 2003 award is perhaps one of the most disputed in the history of the Ballon d’Or.
With Arsenal supporters even now continuing to debate whether Henry should have won it that year instead.
To be fair to Nedved, he had an outstanding season as well. His performance was crucial for Juventus reaching the Champions League final and they also claimed the Serie A title during that same period.
READ NEXT:
The 15 athletes who have finished ahead of Salah on the Ballon d’Or podium since 2018.
TRY A QUIZ:
Could you list all the players who have finished on the Ballon d’Or podium with Lionel Messi during his eight victories?
