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#3 Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona) - 2010
There is a prevalent argument that Andres Iniesta and Xavi deserved the Ballon d'Or just as much as Messi did in 2010. The Spanish duo were instrumental in Spain's World Cup triumph but Wesley Sneijder was the man who was actually robbed off the Ballon d'Or.
Sneijder was a monster in midfield for Jose Mourinho's treble-winning Inter Milan side in the 2009-10 season. They defied all odds to win the Champions League that term.
Sneijder scored eight goals and 15 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for Inter Milan that season. He basically played a direct hand in 23 goals from central midfield for the Nerazzurri.
Sneijder also scored five goals at the 2010 World Cup as the Netherlands reached the finals. He also won four man-of-the-match awards at the tournament. The Dutchman was also exceptional in the decisive stages of the Champions League, scoring three goals and providing six assists in the tournament.
However, Sneijder finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or race and did not even make the podium.
#2 Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic/Juventus) - 2003
Thierry Henry, arguably the best player to ever play in the Premier League, was robbed off the Ballon d'Or in 2003. The award went to Pavel Nedved instead and it's a decision that a lot of football fans just cannot agree with.
Juventus had a pretty decent season, winning the Scudetto and the Supercoppa Italiana. But Nedved did not exactly have a season worthy of fetching him the Ballon d'Or. The midfielder did score 14 goals and provide 17 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions for the Bianconeri.
He was also their best player that season. However, his achievements weren't at par with that of the Arsenal striker's.
Thierry Henry scored 32 goals and provided 28 assists across all competitions for Arsenal. He won the FA Cup with the Gunners as well. Even though his numbers were overwhelmingly better than Nedved's, he was still robbed off the Ballon d'Or.
#1 Michael Owen (England/Liverpool) - 2001
Michael Owen had an impressive 2000-01 season with Liverpool, where he won the FA Cup, Football League Cup and the UEFA Cup. He scored 24 goals for the Merseysiders that season and was pivotal to their success.
However, Owen's achievements were no match for Real Madrid striker Raul's heroics. The Spaniard was at the peak of his powers during that time. He scored 33 goals and provided eight assists in 50 appearances across all competitions in the 2000-01 season.
Raul also won the La Liga title and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League with Los Blancos that season. He also won the Pichichi Trophy (for the topscorer in La Liga) and the Champions League Golden Boot as well that season.
He also won the Supercopa de Espana and it's quite surprising that Owen won the Ballon d'Or ahead of him. Raul was simply the superior striker and he can't be faulted for thinking he had done enough to win the most prestigious individual prize in football.
