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Ronaldo Nazario named the six players who never won the Ballon d'Or but deserved to

Home> Football> La Liga> Real Madrid

Published 13:59 9 Nov 2024 GMT

Ronaldo Nazario named the six players who never won the Ballon d'Or but deserved to

R9 won the Ballon d'Or twice with Inter Milan and Real Madrid

John McDougall

John McDougall

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The legend that is Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or twice during his distinguished playing career - and R9 did not hesitate when it came to naming six others he felt deserved the prestigious award.

The Brazilian forward had a club career which spanned spells at PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

He moved to the Camp Nou in 1996 following a goal-laden spell in Eindhoven, before becoming the next world record signing when he moved to the San Siro to play for Inter in 1997.

He won his first Ballon d'Or when playing for the Serie A side, before moving to Madrid in 2002 for €46m.

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It was in 2002 that Ronaldo won his second Ballon d'Or as he became one of the Galacticos at the Santiago Bernabeu alongside the likes of David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo.

Spells at Milan and Corinthians in his homeland of Brazil followed before he retired from football in early 2011.

Ronaldo won the World Cup twice with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, scoring 62 goals in 98 appearances for the South American nation.

The now 48-year-old was the runner-up in 1996 to Ballon d'Or winner Matthias Sammer, with Alan Shearer finishing third on that occasion.

Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or twice. (
Getty)

However, there are six players R9 has mentioned in the past that he feels deserved to have won the prestigious award but did not.

As per Spanish publication Marca, he felt that Italian strikers Alessandro del Piero and Francesco Totti deserved to claim the gong, as well as legendary AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini.

And he felt former Real Madrid team-mates Roberto Carlos and striker Raul also could have won the accolade.

He said: "Del Piero, Totti, Maldini, Raul Gonzalez... and I think Roberto Carlos, too, because he was twice behind me in the voting.

"I think these players deserved [the Ballon d'Or].

As well as this quintet, he feels recently retired Spain and former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta also deserved to claim the award.

Speaking to radio station Cadena Ser as per Spanish publication Sport, Ronaldo said: "Iniesta deserved a Ballon d'Or, but he doesn't need it, he already has an incredible list of trophies and a great career.

"He is the best Spanish player of all time. I thank him for his quality, his football and his generosity."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Alessandro Del Piero, Andres Iniesta, Ballon d'Or, Brazil, Francesco Totti, Inter Milan, Paolo Maldini, Raul, Real Madrid, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo Nazario, Barcelona

John McDougall
John McDougall

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