Zinedine Zidane previously claimed that one player deserved to win the Ballon d’Or but never did – and his response was classy to say the least.
Zidane, 52, won the 1998 edition of the Ballon d’Or thanks to him playing a starring role in France’s World Cup victory as he scored a brace in the 3-0 triumph against Brazil in the final.
And despite Zidane picking up the coveted individual accolade, the award will forever be associated with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who won a combined 13 Ballon d’Ors – Ronaldo has five while Messi has eight – during their respective careers.
Between 2008 and 2023, the pair won 13 of the 15 Ballon d’Ors handed out, meaning several world-class talents missed out, including Neymar and Robert Lewandowski.
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But it was another star who Zidane thought deserved to win the 2010 edition of the award.
Speaking about Andres Iniesta in 2018, Zidane said: “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.
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"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.
"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."
Messi won the Ballon d’Or in 2010, while Barcelona and Spain duo Iniesta and Xavi came second and third.
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In 2023, when speaking to Sharjah Sports TV, Iniesta responded to the claims, saying: “I never felt like it was unfair. I was happy to be nominated. It's a pleasure to be on the list with the best.
"If you ask me whether I would have liked to win a Ballon d'Or, I would say yes. But football was not unfair with me and my awards. I'm very happy with my career and with everything that happened."
He added: “For me, being a Barca player is the greatest trophy."
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, Andres Iniesta, Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Barcelona
Luke Davies