Without Messi and Ronaldo, these 7 players would have won the Ballon d'Or

2008 - Fernando Torres

2009 - Xavi

2010 - Andres Iniesta

2011- Xavi

2012 - Andres Iniesta

2013 - Frank Ribery

2014 - Manuel Neuer

2015 - Neymar

2016 - Antoine Griezmann

Makes people understand how good Xavi and Inestia were, I suppose.

Iniesta in 2010? I think you mean Sneijder. Won the treble and got to the WC final. Think he was tied for tournament top scorer. Iniesta was good, but Sneijder was better. And yes I know this was based on who finished 3rd, but he deserved it more than anyone else.

Lampard would've won it if it wasn't for the legendary ronaldinho

you can add Henry to that list as well, there are certainly lot of amazing special footballers who were just unlucky not to win it.

And a whole bunch of semi-decent players who had one outstanding season and lucked out. cough Michael Owen cough

@quickzyyy wasn't that because of Ronaldinho though, not messi and ronaldo? I'm not sure

Henry's prime was before Messi's professional career even took off.

Also 100% agree with Sneijder for 2010. Blatter's corrupt changes to the Ballon d'Or is what resulted in Messi winning it that year. Should not have even been in top 3. Sneijder, Iniesta, Xavi should have been the correct order.

You can make the same argument for Ronaldo and Ribery in 2013.

@ISuckatMakingNames Iniesta finished above Sneijder on points during the votings ...

Also suarez should have been there in 2016 instead of griezzman.

Make me realize Messi haircup wasn't great in 2010. I mean, I nearly mistook him as Joachim Low at first because of those hair. XD

@Gennady

It helps Iniesta's case because it was a popularity contest between the coaches and the captains.