Why the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Londres may miss six legends

The glittering ballroom in Londres is already buzzing as the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony approaches, set for Monday at 17:00 Brasília time. Among the frontrunners are England’s record‑breaker Harry Kane and teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, each hoping to lift the coveted trophy.

Super Bola de Ouro? The spectacle in Londres

The event, billed by organisers as the ‘Super Bola de Ouro’, will be staged in the heart of the city, with the trophy handed to the winner on a stage designed to echo the sport’s global reach. It marks the latest edition of a prize that has been awarded since 1956.

A history of greatness and omission

Since its inception in 1956, the Ballon d'Or has built a gallery of winners that reads like a hall of fame, featuring many of the sport’s all‑time greats. Yet the same history also records a string of names whose excellence is beyond dispute but whose careers never intersected with a win.

Various factors have denied these legends the award: some arrived at the peak of their powers before the prize existed, others found themselves competing against the era‑defining duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while a few played in positions that historically received less recognition.

Ferenc Puskas – a star before the award

Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskas was already a global sensation before the Ballon d'Or was created. He led Hungary to the 1954 World Cup final, where they fell to West Germany. After moving to Real Madrid in 1958, Puskas netted 242 goals in 262 matches, secured five Spanish league titles and three European Cups.

His highest Ballon d'Or finish came in 1960, when he placed second, but the timing of the award meant his prime years were largely unrecognised.

Thierry Henry – brilliance thwarted by rivals

Thierry Henry dominated the Premier League with Arsenal, captaining an unbeaten title‑winning side in 2003/04 and winning two European Golden Shoes. He guided the Gunners to their first Champions League final in 2006 and lifted the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000 with France.

Henry finished second in the 2003 Ballon d'Or, edged out by Pavel Nedved, and third in 2006, behind Fabio Cannavaro, after France lost the World Cup final to Italy.

Andrés Iniesta – greatness eclipsed by Messi

Andrés Iniesta was a linchpin of Barcelona under Pep Guardiola and a key figure in Spain’s triumphs at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. He scored the decisive goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands.

Despite his influence, Iniesta finished second in the 2010 Ballon d'Or to Lionel Messi and third in 2012, as his peak coincided with the Messi‑Ronaldo era.