Ballon d’Or Dream Team Features Legends Who Never Won Award

France Football, the organizer of the prestigious Ballon d’Or, has released a special “Dream Team” featuring legendary footballers who, despite their illustrious careers, never won the coveted individual award.

The lineup includes globally celebrated stars from different generations whose brilliance on the field earned them admiration but not the Ballon d’Or trophy. The announcement has sparked nostalgia and renewed appreciation for players who shaped football history without receiving the sport’s highest individual honour.

Among those named is Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who won the FIFA World Cup in 2006 and is widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in football history. The defence line features Italian icons Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, alongside France’s Lilian Thuram each of whom left a significant mark on both club and international football.

The midfield trio includes Spanish legends Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, key figures in Barcelona and Spain’s golden era, alongside Danish playmaker Michael Laudrup, known for his elegance and technical brilliance during his time with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

In attack, the team features Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Spanish great Raúl González, and Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović each known for their goal-scoring prowess and charismatic presence on the pitch.

France Football clarified that the list is not an alternative Ballon d’Or award but a tribute to footballers whose contributions transcended individual accolades.

The publication noted that many of these players were active during periods dominated by other football greats or were overshadowed by tactical roles that made their brilliance less visible on score sheets but vital to team success.

The Dream Team has been praised by fans and analysts as a fitting homage to players whose legacies remain untouchable, even without a Ballon d’Or title to their name.