In the illustrious history of football, the Ballon d’Or stands as the pinnacle of individual recognition, an award that celebrates the best player in the world over a given year or season. However, the path to claiming this prestigious trophy is fraught with competition, and sometimes, even the most exceptional players miss out.
Here, we explore three such football legends who, despite their unparalleled contributions to the sport, never managed to hoist the Ballon d’Or.
1. Paolo Maldini – The Epitome of Defensive Excellence
Paolo Maldini, a name synonymous with defensive mastery, spent his entire professional career at AC Milan, a club where he became an emblem of consistency, leadership, and elegance on the pitch. Maldini’s accolades read like a dream list for any defender: 7 Serie A titles, 5 European Cups/Champions Leagues, numerous Coppa Italia wins, and several Supercoppa Italiana triumphs. His ability to read the game, combined with his physical prowess and tactical acumen, made him one of the best defenders the world has ever seen.
Yet, the Ballon d’Or eluded him. The award’s criteria and the footballing culture of his era leaned heavily towards forwards, especially during the time when his teammate Marco van Basten, and later players like Ronaldo and Messi, dominated the award. Maldini’s closest encounters with the Ballon d’Or came in 1994 and 2003 when he finished second, but the award often went to those with more direct contributions in terms of goals and assists, overshadowing the defensive art.
Maldini’s story with the Ballon d’Or underscores a broader debate about the award’s metrics. Should it celebrate the impact of a player beyond just goal-scoring, perhaps by acknowledging the art of defense, the leadership on the pitch, or the ability to neutralize world-class attackers?
2. Zinedine Zidane – The Magician Who Charmed the World
Zinedine Zidane, or “Zizou” to his fans, was the epitome of footballing artistry. Known for his vision, technique, and those memorable volleyed goals, Zidane’s career was filled with moments that felt like watching a painter at work on a canvas. His trophy cabinet is as impressive as his skills, boasting a FIFA World Cup, a European Championship, and multiple Champions League titles, including that unforgettable volley in the 2002 final for Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite these achievements, Zidane never won the Ballon d’Or. He finished runner-up twice, in 1997 and 2000, to Ronaldo and Luís Figo, respectively. The timing of his peak performances often coincided with those of other greats, and the award’s emphasis on individual statistics might not have fully captured Zidane’s influence on games where he wasn’t the top scorer or assist provider.
Zidane’s case with the Ballon d’Or raises questions about how we evaluate a player’s contribution. His influence was often through moments of magic that changed games, not just through numbers on a stat sheet. His legacy is far from diminished by this absence, but it does highlight the complexities of recognizing football’s true “best” in a given year.
3. Roberto Baggio – The Divine Ponytail
Roberto Baggio, known for his unique hairstyle and even more unique playing style, was a blend of creativity, scoring prowess, and tactical intelligence. Playing for clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan, Baggio’s career was marked by individual brilliance. He played a pivotal role in Italy’s run to the 1994 World Cup final, where his penalty miss in the shootout became one of football’s most poignant moments. His ability to score from anywhere, create chances out of nothing, and his overall elegance on the ball made him a fan favorite.
However, Baggio never won the Ballon d’Or, coming agonizingly close by finishing second in 1993, behind Marco van Basten, and third in 1994. The award, during Baggio’s peak years, often went to players who either scored more goals or were on teams that clinched major trophies, like the Champions League, which eluded Baggio’s teams during those seasons.
Baggio’s narrative with the Ballon d’Or points to the sometimes harsh reality of individual awards in team sports. His impact was immense, but the lack of team success at crucial times, combined with the award’s focus on quantifiable achievements, left one of football’s true artists without the golden ball.
The Ballon d’Or Debate
These stories of Maldini, Zidane, and Baggio are not just about missed awards but are emblematic of broader discussions within football. The Ballon d’Or, while prestigious, is often critiqued for its focus on goal contributions at the expense of other roles or the intangibles like leadership, game-reading ability, and the capacity to change games in less obvious ways.
The evolution of the award’s criteria, now considering a broader range of statistics and performances over a season rather than a calendar year, aims to address some of these criticisms. Yet, the essence of football – its beauty, unpredictability, and the unique contributions of each player – continues to challenge the notion of a definitive “best” in any given year.
While the Ballon d’Or will always be a coveted prize, the tales of these three legends remind us that true greatness in football often transcends awards. Maldini, Zidane, and Baggio have left legacies that endure in the memories of fans and the history of the game, their contributions to football celebrated in ways that no trophy could fully encapsulate. Their stories are a poignant reminder of the depth of talent in football and the sometimes arbitrary nature of individual accolades in a sport defined by collective effort.
