History is filled with footballing dynasties whose collective brilliance never translated into Ballon d’Or recognition for their players. From treble-winning campaigns to World Cup triumphs, some of the sport’s most legendary squads lacked a single golden ball winner. This disconnect raises questions about how the award values narrative, timing, and standout moments over team-centric excellence.
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Barcelona 1991-92 — The First European Crown, No Ballon d’Or
Barcelona’s Dream Team, guided by Johan Cruyff, achieved a major milestone in 1992 by winning their first-ever European Cup. Ronald Koeman’s famous extra-time goal sealed the final, yet he finished only eighth in Ballon d’Or voting. Hristo Stoichkov came second but would win the award only years later. Despite their iconic status, Marco van Basten took the top honour that year, underlining the voting pattern that often leaned toward individual flair over system-driven success.
Manchester United 1998-99 — The Treble That Time Forgot
Manchester United’s historic treble in 1999 is one of the greatest achievements in English football, but it failed to produce a Ballon d’Or winner. David Beckham was widely seen as a contender, yet Rivaldo claimed the prize after an impressive season with Barcelona. It was also a period when Champions League success alone didn’t guarantee individual accolades, with no Ballon d’Or winner coming from a UCL-winning squad between 1992 and 2006.
Inter Milan 2009-10 — Milito’s Snub and the 2010 Oversight
Diego Milito was the heartbeat of Inter’s treble-winning side, scoring decisive goals in the Champions League, Serie A, and Coppa Italia finals. Yet he didn’t even make the Ballon d’Or shortlist. Esteban Cambiasso voiced frustration, stating he “officially stopped believing in these individual awards” after Milito’s omission. Wesley Sneijder, who was instrumental in midfield, placed fourth, but the voting overlooked other key contributors.
Spain 2010 — World Cup Winners, Still No Winner
Spain’s golden generation dominated world football, culminating in their 2010 World Cup win. Despite the squad’s excellence, no Spanish player won the Ballon d’Or. Andres Iniesta and Xavi reached the podium, but Lionel Messi retained the award, largely on the back of his club statistics. The outcome sparked debate about whether peak form or historic victories should carry more weight in individual awards.
Bayern Munich 2012-13 — Ribery, Robben, and a Messi-Ronaldo Wall
Franck Ribery had a standout season in Bayern’s treble-winning campaign, yet finished third behind Messi and Ronaldo in Ballon d’Or voting. Teammates like Robben, Lahm, and Schweinsteiger also had strong cases but were overshadowed by the dominant narrative surrounding the sport’s two biggest stars. In retrospect, Bayern’s collective brilliance wasn’t enough to break through the Messi-Ronaldo stronghold.
Germany 2014 — A Golden Generation Without a Golden Ball
Germany’s World Cup-winning team in 2014 was a model of balance and depth. While Manuel Neuer finished third, no German player took home the award. Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, and Philipp Lahm all played crucial roles, but the absence of a singular standout allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to claim his third Ballon d’Or. The result reinforced the idea that narrative moments often outweigh team cohesion.
France 2018 — A Balanced Team, But Modric Took the Spotlight
France’s 2018 World Cup triumph lacked a clear individual candidate for the Ballon d’Or. Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Raphael Varane all had compelling cases, but Luka Modric’s journey with Croatia captured global attention. Modric broke the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, but France’s balanced brilliance ended up splitting the vote.
Bayern Munich 2019-20 — The Award That Never Happened
Robert Lewandowski was in unstoppable form during Bayern’s 2019–20 treble-winning campaign, scoring 55 goals. However, the Ballon d’Or was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, denying him a likely win. Messi later acknowledged Lewandowski’s missed opportunity during his own acceptance speech in 2021, calling it well deserved.
Manchester City 2022-23 — Haaland vs Messi’s Moment
Erling Haaland broke records in his debut season with Manchester City, netting 52 goals as the club secured a historic treble. Yet, it was Lionel Messi’s World Cup triumph that swayed voters. Despite Haaland’s dominance in Europe, Messi’s emotional victory with Argentina in Qatar proved decisive in extending his Ballon d’Or legacy.
2025 — Will PSG Suffer the Same Fate?
PSG’s 2024–25 treble has been driven by several elite performers — Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Vitinha, and more. While Dembele leads the Ballon d’Or projections, the possibility of votes being split remains high. History suggests that too many strong candidates from one team can prevent any of them from claiming the award.
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Conclusion
The Ballon d’Or has often reflected moments of individual flair rather than long-term consistency or collective greatness. Iconic teams throughout history have seen their achievements overshadowed by standout solo campaigns. As PSG faces a familiar dilemma in 2025, it remains to be seen whether the award can fully capture the depth of football excellence — or if narrative and timing will once again decide the outcome.
