Zinedine Zidane believes a true great of the game deserved to win the Ballon d'Or during his distinguished career.
The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony is just days away as today's superstars, including Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, are in contention to win the prestigious individual award.
Thierry Henry reckons there is a clear winner for this year's prize as he put forward his case following this week's Champions League games.
Arsenal legend Henry is among the legendary players to have never won the Ballon d'Or.
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He finished second to Pavel Nedved in the 2003 Ballon d'Or and third in the 2006 Ballon d'Or.
Henry isn't the only icon to have never won the Ballon d'Or as it also evaded Andres Iniesta during his legendary career.
And Zidane insists Iniesta 'deserved' to win the Ballon d'Or - especially in the year he triumphed at the 2010 World Cup.
"It is difficult because if you like football, seeing a player like him leave is tough," said Zidane, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1998. "I don't think of him as a Barcelona player. I see him simply as a football player
"I've come across him two or three times and he is a charming, very reserved man and I like players who can do everything on the field but are that calm off it.
"I only have good words for him, admiration for his football and I wish him the best as a player for the future but above all, as a person."
He added: "We're talking about someone who made everyone dream and he deserved to win the Ballon d'Or, especially in the year he won the World Cup. It was clear then that he deserved it."
Iniesta was pipped by Lionel Messi in the year he won the World Cup with Spain.
The Spaniard also finished third in the 2012 Ballon d'Or.
Humble as ever, Iniesta saw a victory in his 2010 Ballon d'Or finish as he was joined by then-Barcelona teammates Messi and Xavi in the top three.
"Ballon d'Or? The image of Xavi, Leo and me on the podium is bigger than me winning it," he said.
"Three players from La Masia on the podium was the biggest prize, not who won it."
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, Andres Iniesta, Football, Ballon d'Or
Nasir Jabbar