The Ballon d’Or is football’s most coveted individual accolade, awarded to the player who has shone brightest on the global stage over the course of a year. Traditionally, this prestigious honor goes to those who have dominated the biggest domestic leagues, excelled in the Champions League, or lit up major international tournaments like the World Cup. However, as with any award, the process can sometimes throw up unexpected names on the shortlist. Players whose inclusion is often the result of one moment, one incredible tournament, or a brief peak in form, rather than consistent brilliance over an extended period.
Here are ten of the most surprising, head-turning, and unlikely Ballon d’Or nominations in football history:
10) Mario Balotelli
Few players have a career as full of highs and lows as Mario Balotelli. Known as much for his off-field antics as his on-field brilliance, the Italian striker was a mercurial talent. His famous brace against Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final was one of the defining moments of his career, showcasing a clinical edge that belied his inconsistent nature. While Balotelli certainly had the ability to mix it with the best, his career was marred by a lack of consistency, discipline, and fitness. Nonetheless, his nomination for the Ballon d’Or that year was a nod to the stunning moments of genius that made him one of the most unpredictable players of his generation.
9) Gerard Moreno
In 2021, Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno was nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and few could have predicted it. The Spanish striker had been sensational in Villarreal’s run to the Europa League title, scoring seven goals, including one in the final against Manchester United. For a player plying his trade outside the glitzy realms of the Champions League, it was an unlikely recognition. Yet, his performances in the competition and his status as a leader for Villarreal earned him a place among the best players in Europe for that year. His nomination reflected a rare instance of the Ballon d’Or recognizing achievement in secondary European competitions.
8) Papa Bouba Diop
The late Papa Bouba Diop will always be remembered for his iconic goal against France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup. The Senegalese midfielder, known for his imposing presence, scored one of the most memorable goals in World Cup history, securing a famous victory for his nation. Diop added two more goals in the group stage, but his club career at Lens, playing in the French Ligue 1, was not at the elite level of the world’s top leagues. Yet, his nomination for the Ballon d’Or was a reward for Senegal’s stunning run to the quarterfinals, a fairytale that captured the imagination of football fans around the world.
7) Younis Mahmoud
Younis Mahmoud made history in 2007 when he captained Iraq to their first-ever Asian Cup title, scoring the decisive goal in the final against Saudi Arabia. Mahmoud’s leadership and goal-scoring heroics in a tournament that shocked the footballing world were a testament to his talent and determination. Despite playing in the relatively obscure Iraqi league, his nomination for the Ballon d’Or reflected the magnitude of his achievement. It was a rare moment where the football world looked beyond the European spotlight to recognize an incredible accomplishment in Asian football.
6) Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan’s 2010 World Cup campaign remains one of the most memorable performances in modern World Cup history. Playing for Ghana, Gyan was the driving force behind the country’s deep run into the tournament, scoring three goals, including the winner against the United States in the Round of 16. Ghana was just one penalty away from reaching the semi-finals, a moment forever etched in football history. Gyan was playing for Sunderland in the Premier League at the time, and his nomination for the Ballon d’Or was a testament to how one player’s brilliance in a World Cup could propel them into the conversation for football’s top individual award.
5) Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay’s inclusion on the 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist was one of the most unlikely nominations in recent memory. The Manchester United midfielder had been written off by many critics and fans as a player who was destined to be a squad player at best. However, McTominay’s 2025 season saw him reinvent himself, with a series of stellar performances that elevated him to new heights. Playing in Italy, McTominay proved that a player could be written off by many, only to reinvent himself and reach the top. His inclusion on the Ballon d’Or shortlist was as improbable as it was deserved, marking a true underdog story in football.
4) Emmanuel Adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor had a phenomenal season in 2008 with Arsenal, and that year he was an unstoppable force. His goalscoring exploits helped propel the Gunners to the top of the Premier League, and his performances were electric. Adebayor finished the season with 24 league goals, one of the best tallies in Europe. However, his career was often marred by inconsistency, with several seasons that didn’t live up to his potential. Despite this, his incredible year in 2008 earned him a Ballon d’Or nomination — a moment of brilliance in an otherwise middling career.
3) Rogério Ceni
Rogério Ceni is one of the most unique players to ever receive a Ballon d’Or nomination. A legendary goalkeeper for São Paulo, Ceni became famous not only for his shot-stopping ability but also for his remarkable goalscoring feats. He scored over 100 goals during his career, a record for any goalkeeper, and many of those came from free kicks and penalties. Despite his extraordinary career, Ceni never played in a top European league or became Brazil’s first-choice goalkeeper for major international tournaments. Nevertheless, his nomination was a recognition of his exceptional talent and contribution to one of the most unique careers in football history.
2) Andrey Arshavin
Andrey Arshavin’s 2008 Euro performance was unforgettable. Despite playing just three matches in the tournament due to suspension, Arshavin’s contributions in the knockout stages were enough to see him catapulted into the Ballon d’Or rankings. His performances against Sweden and the Netherlands were dazzling, and they made him a household name in European football. Finishing sixth in the Ballon d’Or voting that year was an incredible achievement, considering the limited number of games he played in the tournament. For a brief moment, Arshavin looked world-class, and his Ballon d’Or finish remains one of the most unlikely in history.
1) Hatem Trabelsi
Hatem Trabelsi’s nomination for the Ballon d’Or is perhaps the most surprising in the award’s history. The Tunisian right-back, known for his reliability and solid defensive performances, was never regarded as one of the world’s elite players. However, his performances at the 2002 World Cup, where he helped Tunisia to a respectable showing, earned him a spot on the Ballon d’Or shortlist. Trabelsi never received a single vote, and his nomination remains one of the strangest moments in Ballon d’Or history. His inclusion was more of a symbolic gesture, a reminder that football’s most prestigious individual award can occasionally throw up the most unexpected names.
The Ballon d’Or – A Celebration of the Unlikely
The Ballon d’Or is usually reserved for the world’s elite players who dominate domestically, perform consistently in Europe, and shine on the global stage. However, these unlikely nominees remind us that football’s most prestigious individual accolade isn’t always about sustained brilliance. Sometimes, it’s about a moment of magic, an unforgettable tournament, or the right player hitting their peak at just the right time.
From Scott McTominay’s reinvention to Hatem Trabelsi’s surprise nomination, these players show that the Ballon d’Or can occasionally embrace the unexpected, giving recognition to those who may not have had the longest or most consistent careers, but who had their time in the spotlight and left an indelible mark on the footballing world.
