12 footballers who could have won the Ballon d’Or if Messi and Ronaldo were never born

2. Xavi

Xavi Hernandez could have easily become a Ballon D’or winner if Messi and Ronaldo were not born seeing as the Spain and Barcelona midfielder came third three years in a row between 2009 and 2011. He could have been one of the players in the record books but for the greatness of those two men

3. Andres Iniesta

Another Spanish midfielder, Andres Iniesta widely known as one of the greatest playmakers of all time was also victim to the Messi –Ronaldo effect as he came second in 2010 which is the only year in ten years that didn’t have Ronaldo in the top three. He also came third in 2012 so it is not farfetched to say he has come the closest in breaking the deadlock