sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
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

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

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.

Advert

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

Recommended reads

“All we want is people who really want to die for the shirt” – Danny Dyer talks West Ham, football agents and the toughest firms in the gameOne Last DealWhy Donald Trump lacks power on Iran's participation at World Cup as 'likely decision date' revealedGetty“We are here to win” - Nico Hulkenberg sets clear goal for Audi F1 entryGettyFallon Sherrock interview: ‘My health is a lot better now… you’re going to see me a lot longer!’Getty

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Senegal to take legal action as statement issued after AFCON title stripped

    A response has been issued.

    Football
  • CBS Sports Golazo
    3 hours ago

    Kasper Schmeichel makes heartbreaking admission in front of his dad live on CBS

    Kasper Schmeichel opened up on his devastating injury to Peter Schmeichel.

    Football
  • Steve Bardens - AMA/Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Chelsea player drops bombshell on his future minutes after PSG loss

    The star player has been a key part of Chelsea's success this season, but it appears he may finally have had enough.

    Football
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    Jamie Carragher appears to address AFCON final drama after previous controversial comments

    January's final has now been overturned.

    Football
  • Pep Guardiola names pair who deserved to win Ballon d'Or but never did because of Messi and Ronaldo
  • Rio Ferdinand names the two players who deserved to win the Ballon d'Or but never did
  • Every player who would've won the Ballon d'Or if Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never existed
  • Ballon d'Or Dream Team featured five players who never actually won the award