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Plenty of players have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or and have managed to stay at the top consistently. Players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two most prolific Ballon d'Or winners, are two such examples. While Messi holds the record for most Ballon d'Ors with six, Ronaldo is just behind him with five.
Some players have lost their way after Ballon d'Or nomination
Although many players that have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or have been in and around the list for many years, there are some players who lost their way after getting nominated for the award. These players were brilliant during the start of their careers but faded away due to various reasons.
On that note, here's a look at five such players who lost their way after being named on the Ballon d'Or shortlist:
#4 Ricardo Quaresma
Before Cristiano Ronaldo became the player he has become, there was another talented winger at Sporting CP who looked as though he had the potential to become a world-beater.
An exciting winger, quick and devastating in one-on-one situations against opposing defenders, Ricardo Quaresma was outstanding for Portugal at the 2000 UEFA European under-17 tournament, which they won. The next year, he made his senior club debut at just 17, helping Sporting CP win a League and Cup double.
A young Ronaldo was still plying his trade at the club's academy while Quaresma seemingly had the world at his feet. But things panned out differently for both players.
Ronaldo went on to become one of the greatest to play the game, winning the Ballon d'Or five times and numerous club trophies. Meanwhile, Quaresma failed to fulfil his potential, moving to various clubs throughout his career, including Barcelona, Porto and Real Madrid. But he only managed to feature on the Ballon d'Or shortlist once, doing so in 2007.
Quaresma, though, was able to settle at Besiktas in the latter stages of his career, becoming a key player of the team. Now 37, the winger plays for Vitoria de Guimaraes in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
#3 Mario Balotelli
When Mario Balotelli produced a brilliant display for Italy against Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2012, it looked like he was destined for stardom. At the time he was only 21.
He was coming off a brilliant campaign with Manchester City, scoring 13 goals in 23 games in the Premier League. He helped the club seal the league title by providing the assist to Sergio Aguero's memorable injury-time winner against Queens Park Rangers on the last day of the season.
Balotelli's performance earned him a place on the Ballon d'Or shortlist in 2012, where he finished 23rd in the rankings. Despite all the controversies surrounding him, it looked like the Italian was destined for big things. But things turned out differently for him.
Since being on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, Balotelli has been unable to settle at any club he has joined. He did have a good spell with AC Milan after joining them from Manchester City in 2013. But his decision to move back to the Premier League with Liverpool was the beginning of his downfall.
He was loaned back to AC Milan after a disappointing campaign at Liverpool and could not capture his form at the San Siro. The Italian subsequently joined Nice on a free transfer.
While he had a resurgence at Nice, scoring 43 goals in 76 appearances, a goal drought in 2018-19 once again saw his sulky side resurface as he joined Marseille on a free transfer.
Now 30, the former Ballon d'Or nominee is a free agent, nine years after becoming the toast of his country.
#2 Robinho
Robinho is another Ballon d'Or nominee who lost his way after getting shortlisted in 2007. His sublime dribbling skills saw him hailed as yet another 'new Pele' when he played for Santos as a teenager. But his poor attitude and lack of consistency meant he could not live up to the billing when he arrived in European football.
Robinho moved to Europe from Santos in 2005, signing for Real Madrid. Playing alongside Ronaldo Nazario, many expected Robinho to form a lethal partnership with his compatriot. But despite the odd moment of brilliance, Robinho was unable to establish himself as a favourite of his coach or fans.
Robinho had a decent 2006-07 campaign with Madrid, scoring eight goals and registering six assists in 43 games. His subsequent performance in the 2007 Copa America caught the eye as he helped Brazil win the trophy, scoring six goals and winning the best Player of the tournament award. That earned him a place on the 2007 Ballon d'Or shortlist, where he finished ninth in the rankings.
But after a disappointing season with Madrid, Robinho was sold to Manchester City in 2008. He was unable to settle in the Premier League as well and eventually sought a loan move back to his homeland in 2010.
The former Ballon d'Or nominee moved to AC Milan after just six months at Santos, where he played over 100 games while finding the net 25 times. The Brazilian is currently at Santos, but has been suspended due to his trial court conviction for sexual assault in Italy.
#1 Adriano
The tale of Adriano's fall from grace is a heartbreaking one. Once among the most feared strikers in Europe, the Brazilian was never the same after the death of his father, Almir, in 2004.
Adriano enjoyed a rapid rise as a teenager and even made his debut for Brazil at the age of 18. He was signed by Inter Milan in 2001, but was sold to Parma in 2003 in exchange for Fabio Cannavaro. The Brazilian scored 22 goals for them before he was signed back by Inter Milan in January 2004.
Adriano also helped Brazil win the 2004 Copa America, finishing as the leading scorer in the tournament with seven goals. His performances earned him a place in the 2004 Ballon d'Or shortlist, where he finished sixth in the rankings.
But after the death of his father in 2004, 'The Emperor' was never the same again. Adriano fell out of love with the game and was seen partying until late regularly and finding refuge in alcohol.
Despite having problems off the field, the Brazilian striker kept scoring goals and helped Inter Milan to the Serie A title. He also won the Confederations Cup in 2005 with Brazil and was once again nominated for the 2005 Ballon d'Or, where he finished seventh.
But his off-the-pitch activities started to come to the fore as he was caught partying in clubs before games. Inter Milan got fed up with his antics and eventually released him from his contract in 2009.
The former Ballon d'Or nominee's last professional appearance came in 2016 for MLS side Miami United. He now lives in Rio de Janeiro.
