The 17 best Ballon d'Or runners-up who never won ranked

The 70th Ballon d'Or is here and some massive names have cruelly finished as the bridesmaid without ever being the bride.

The world's best male footballer will be crowned on Monday evening as the men's Ballon d'Or lands in new hands. But the award's prestige means some unforgettable names have played second fiddle. Since 1956, the Ballon d'Or has stood as the definitive measure of greatness. England's Sir Stanley Matthews was the first to claim the coveted prize and in the years since, he's been succeeded by footballing royalty.

Lionel Messi's eight awards are what many of his fans cite as definitive proof that he's the GOAT. Cristiano Ronaldo's five are just as staggering. For this landmark 70th edition, to honour Matthews, the ceremony will take place at the London Palladium.

One star will walk away anointed the world's finest, whilst another must settle for silver. However, the list of those who have placed second in the men's voting and never won it makes for incredible reading.

It includes some of the sport's brightest-ever lights, so Express Sport has taken the opportunity to rank the 17 best.

17. Deco (2004)

Deco during Barcelona v Atletico de Madrid — The former Chelsea man won two Champions League titles with two different clubs, Porto and Barcelona, as an immovable midfield heartbeat. Deco was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year in 2004 and paved the way for some metronomic midfield greats. But it was Andriy Shevchenko who pipped him to the Ballon d'Or. (Image: Getty)

16. Davor Suker (1998)

Davor Suker at the 1998 FIFA World Cup — Davor Suker is a Croatian hero. He dragged his nation into the spotlight at France '98 and was a European champion with Real Madrid. However, Zinedine Zidane ensured he settled for Ballon d'Or silver. (Image: Getty)

15. Frank Lampard (2005)

Frank Lampard of Chelsea — The fact that English football's all-time deadliest goalscorer sits 15th on this list is indicative of its quality. Lampard is a Chelsea immortal and his staggering 211 goals for the club ripped up the record books. He came close in 2005 to being crowned the world's best but had a prime Ronaldinho to contend with. (Image: Getty)

14. Virgil van Dijk (2019)

Virgil van Dijk during Liverpool v Villarreal CF — One of the few on the list who are still playing, Virgil van Dijk will surely be looked back on in the years to come as one of the Premier League's finest ever defenders. He's a two-time top-flight winner and claimed the Champions League in an era of Liverpool football that he has defined - the Dutchman did all this with a physical dominance and composure that not many possess. Messi narrowly beat him to the Ballon d'Or in 2019. (Image: Getty)

13. Raul (2001)

Real Madrid's Spanish forward Raul — Before there were Galacticos, there was Raul. The predatory Spanish striker lit up the Bernabeu and is revered in the capital as royalty. He won three Champions League titles and holds the all-time appearance record for Los Blancos, turning out for them 741 times. Michael Owen's Ballon d'Or win came at his expense. (Image: Getty)

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The 70th Ballon d'Or is here and some massive names have cruelly finished as the bridesmaid without ever being the bride.

17. Deco (2004)

16. Davor Suker (1998)

15. Frank Lampard (2005)

14. Virgil van Dijk (2019)

13. Raul (2001)

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