Ronaldo Nazário, the Brazilian soccer legend, names six players who never won the Ballon d'Or but should have.
He won two Ballon d’Or awards, becoming the youngest-ever recipient at 21 years old.
What are his selections?
Ronaldo’s list includes Italian strikers Alessandro del Piero and Francesco Totti.
He also chose AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini and former Real Madrid teammates Roberto Carlos and Raúl.
Why do these players deserve a Ballon d'Or?
Ronaldo explained his inclusion of Roberto Carlos, stating, *“Roberto Carlos, too, because he was twice behind me in the voting.”*
This competitive nature of the award highlights the highly-talented players frequently competing for the prestigious trophy.
Ronaldo also singled out Andrés Iniesta, calling him the *“best Spanish player of all time,”* despite Iniesta’s failure to win a Ballon d’Or.
What does this mean for the Ballon d'Or debate?
The choices reflect a balance of talent and impact across several positions.
In 2021, Ronaldo named his top four greatest soccer players of all time: Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This selection highlights the extraordinary talent and lasting impact of these four players and their influence on the game of football.
Ronaldo Nazário himself finished second to Matthias Sammer in 1996, demonstrating the fierce competition and high standards required to claim this prestigious individual accolade.
Andrés Iniesta, despite not winning a Ballon d’Or, has an incredible list of trophies and a great career, according to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s opinions on the Ballon d’Or snubs offer a unique perspective, based on his own experience at the highest level of the game.
The subjective nature of such awards brings attention to the exceptional careers of some often-overlooked players.
Ronaldo’s second Ballon d’Or came in 2002 following a memorable World Cup, highlighting his extraordinary ability and significant impact on the game.