Protect the ballon

The ballon dor triumphs of Johan Cruyff in 1974,Ruud gullit in 1987 and Marco Van basten in 19893 undisputed ballon dor wins for one small country with a relatively small population of 17 million is ALOTFrance with a population of approx 67 million has maybe 1 or 2 undisputed ballon dors1984 for Michel platini and maybe also 1983Zidanes 1998 ballon dor is widely contested while someone can argue for Diego maradonas case for 1984/1985 based on his Dbs Calcio ratings and demolition job on some of the worst teams in serie A history (ie Lazio)Everything else can rightfully be disputedand that includes the 1988 ballon dor of van basten (his injuries and consequently limited game time)The 1992 ballon dor of Marco Van basten(inflated by a gargantuan amount of penalties and a 4 goal haul against a sub par Göteborg in the inaugural champions League groupstages)Hristo Stoichkov was evidently superior IMO and the opinion of many othersThe 1972 would be ballon dor of Johan CruyffAlthough fantastic and would be my personal choice one can't dismiss the fact gerd Muller scored 151 goals in 100 matches including friendlies soon if not already you'll be accused of undervaluing Dutch players tooClarence seedorf and his conversion to the "bloodthirsty ideology of islamism" imagine you singing his praises any longer seeing as he has joined the 'dark side' Feb 28, 2017 Club: Montevideo Wanderers FC I am intrigued to know what his historical top ten is and in what position he places Johan Cruyff. Jan 11, 2016 Club: Real Madrid The seasonal placement of Ronaldo nazario is very oddHe played significantly more minutes in 1994/95 and scored/provided significantly more goals/assists then in 1995/96When has there ever been a player who participates in 13 League matches and is the MVP of Europe?Would Lionel Messi win the ballon dor with 12 goals in 13 la liga matches and 6 goals in 5 UEFA cup matches(including 4 goals in one match Vs MYPA whoever the heck that is) a complete insult to the other contenders and the equivalence is false anywaysR9 1995/96 scored 12 goals in 13 eredivisie

StyleCredit: Getty Images - GettyFERENC PUSKASNo technicalities here, Puskas - who scored 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary and 622 club goals in his career - failed to win the Ballon d'Or - despite his greatness.The Real Madrid legend won five La Liga titles and the Champions League three times.But he had to watch as his team-mate Alfredo Di Stefano claimed all the honours - winning the award twice.Puskas managed to finish runner-up in 1960, but he could be thought of as the best never to win it, who was eligible.9 No 10 Puskas was always the bridesmaid, never the bride in the Ballon d'Or raceCredit: PA:Press AssociationKENNY DALGLISHThe Scottish forward was one of the best players to come from these shores.Bought from Celtic in 1977 to replace Kevin Keegan, who a year later DID win the Ballon d'Or at Hamburg, Dalglish was dealt a tough order.But 'King Kenny' took it in his stride - scoring 31 goals in his first season, and following that up with 25 strikes the following year.His brilliant performances led Liverpool to three European Cup wins in 1978, 1981, and 1984.In the 1983 Ballon d'Or race he was runner-up to Michel Platini.9 Kenny Dalglish was a Ballon d'Or runner-up to Michel PlatiniCredit: PA:Empics SportANDRES INIESTAThe most decorated player in Spanish football history - with 35 trophies, including nine La Liga titles and four Champions League's.He was an instrumental in Barcelona's historic treble-winning seasons in 2009 and 2015.Iniesta also scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in 2010 World Cup final.Despite all those wonderful achievements, Iniesta was at best a runner-up in 2010, fourth place in 2011, and third-place in 2012... at least he was consistent.9 Andres Iniesta is the most decorated Spanish player of all timeCredit: AFPBOBBY MOOREArguably, England's greatest ever player - Bobby Moore, the captain of the 1966 World Cup-winning team, never got the chance to lift a Ballon d'Or.That's despite doing a first class job marking Eusebio, and restricting the 1965 Ballon d'Or winner to just a goal from the penalty spot in the '66 semi-final.Instead, it was Bobby Charlton who was named world's best player after England were crowned world champions that victorious year.Moore was voted second in 1970 behind German goalscoring machine Gerd Muller, the same year of that remarkable tackle on Jairzinho and after-game hug from Pele.9 Bobby Moore won the World Cup, but not the Ballon d'OrCredit:

LIONEL Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may have 11 Ballon d'Or's between them, but this lot couldn't even win one.These legends for club and country were cruelly robbed of the best player prize in football during their illustrious careers.9 Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or six more times than these brilliant playersCredit: Getty - ContributorAnd in the wake of Sergio Aguero revealing he wanted to stay at Man City and win the Ballon d'Or, we thought we'd give you our take on the best players who never managed to win the coveted trophy.Some you may know, some may be a surprise, while others you could argue were cheated out of it.THIERRY HENRYBetween 2001-06, the former Arsenal forward was at the peak of his powers.Not only was he Premier League top scorer in four of those five seasons, he netted 29 goals in 52 Champions League games during that time - a competition in which a players' worth is measured on the world stage.But for some reason, despite unplayable performances - including decimating Inter Milan at the San Siro, the best he could finish was runner-up in the Ballon d'Or ratings.In 2003, he finished behind Pavel Nedved. Surely that's not right?9 Thierry Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorerCredit: PA:Press AssociationPAOLO MALDINIHe's been called the best defender to have ever played the game.As capable at centre half as he was at left back, where he began his career, the AC Milan icon won 25 trophies, including seven Serie A titles and the Champions League five times.But for all his brilliance, he was often overshadowed by his more glamorous team-mates like Andriy Shevchenko, Kaka, George Weah, Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit, who were all recipients of the Ballon d'Or ball.Best it got for him was third place in 1994 and 2003.9 Five-time Champions League winner Paolo Maldini finished third in the Ballon d'Or vote three timesCredit: AP:Associated PressXAVIThe heartbeat of Barcelona's tiki-taka style, the Spanish midfielder played 767 times for the Catalans.And in that time he was showered with awards - and was included in the UEFA Team of the Year five times in a row between 2008-12.But the Ballon d'Or evaded him, even when he helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup - recording an astonishing 91 per cent pass completion rate in the tournament.Xavi finished third three years in a row between 2009-11.9 Xavi was the heartbeat of Barcelona's tiki-taka

(19)2. Raul (11)3. Owen (10)4. Totti (7)5. Zidane (5)6. Beckham (4)7. Pires (2)8= Kahn, Shevchenko (1)20021. Ronaldo (18)2. Zidane (16)3. R.Carlos (9)4. Ballack (7)5. Ronaldinho (4)6. Kahn (3)7. Henry (2)8. Rivaldo (1)20031. Henry (18)2. Nedved (17)3. Zidane (11)4. Van Nistelrooy (6)5. Maldini (4)6. Ronaldo (2)7= Nesta, Shevchenko (1)20041. Ronaldinho (19)2. Shevchenko (17)3= Deco, Henry (10)5= Adriano, Kaka, Nedved, Zagorakis (1)20051. Ronaldinho (20)2. Lampard (14)3. Henry (10)4. Eto'o (7)5. Gerrard (6)6. Kaka (2)7. Shevchenko (1)20061. Cannavaro (19)2= Henry, Ronaldinho (10)4. Zidane (9)5. Kaka (5)6. Eto'o (4)7. Pirlo (2)8. Buffon (1)20071. Kaka (20)2. C.Ronaldo (16)3. Messi (12)4= Drogba, Pirlo (4)6. Gerrard (2)7= Ronaldinho, Seedorf (1)20081. C.Ronaldo (20)2. Messi (16)3. Torres (12)4. Xavi (5)5= Arshavin, Casillas (3)7. Villa (1)20091. Messi (20)2. Xavi (13)3. C.Ronaldo (12)4. Iniesta (11)5. Eto'o (3)6. Gerrard (1) @IceBlood34 Perú FC and IceBlood34 repped this. Montpellier HSC France Jan 27, 2021 The coincidence is still incredible but FranceFootball and L'Equipe have just made a historic announcement for the Ballon d'Or.Here is the complete translation of these 4 historical changes concerning the Ballon d'Or vote (I have put in bold the main changes) :"Ballon d'Or: four changes for history"​"To gain coherence, readability and clarity, several changes will be made to the Ballon d'Or. Starting with the calendar, which will now be based on the soccer seasons.The Ballon d'Or was born in the carefree spirit of a gamble without a future, intended above all to enliven the pages of a newspaper at the end of the year, but it is still there, sixty-six years later. With the same simplistic triptych: rules, a jury of journalists and a trophy. Of course, it could - and had to - evolve to enlarge its initial European spectrum. First, in 1995, it was extended to players from all over the world playing in a European Championship. Then, in 2007, it was opened up completely, without distinction of nationality or territory.And in 2018 with the creation of the Women's Ballon d'Or. Major changes that have allowed the BO to anchor itself a little more and a little better in the realities of contemporary soccer. The BO is