FROM SALAH TO DROGBA: FOOTBALL STARS WHO NEVER REACHED BALLON D’OR TOP THREE

Salah, Drogba and Other Football Greats Who Never Made the Ballon d’Or Top Three

Scoring goals, winning trophies and becoming a fan favourite do not always guarantee a place among the Ballon d’Or’s top three.

Mohamed Salah and Didier Drogba are among the celebrated footballers who have come close without reaching the podium. With the 2026 award still to be announced, here are four stars whose best finishes have kept them just outside the leading trio.

Mohamed Salah — Fourth in 2025

Salah recorded his highest finish in 2025, placing fourth behind Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal and Vitinha.

The Egyptian enjoyed an outstanding 2024–25 Premier League campaign, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists as Liverpool won the title. Even those impressive numbers were not enough to secure a podium place.

Didier Drogba — Fourth in 2007

The former Chelsea striker came closest in 2007, finishing behind winner Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Known for delivering in major matches, Drogba scored Chelsea’s winning goal in that year’s FA Cup final. Despite his achievements, he never finished among the award’s top three.

Zlatan Ibrahimović — Fourth in 2013

Ibrahimović’s best finish came in 2013, when he placed fourth behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Franck Ribéry.

The Swedish striker built a remarkable career across several European clubs, but a Ballon d’Or podium finish remained beyond his reach.

Samuel Eto’o — Fifth in 2009

Eto’o finished fifth in 2009 after helping Barcelona win the league, domestic cup and Champions League before moving to Inter Milan.

He scored in Barcelona’s Champions League final victory over Manchester United, yet ended the voting behind Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.

Their records show how fierce the competition for football’s biggest individual award can be—even for players who helped define their generation.