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#4 Roberto Carlos - 2002
Roberto Carlos was one of the finest defenders Brazil has ever produced. A major chunk of his international career was played at Real Madrid between 1996 and 2007 where he made 370 appearances for them. His famous 'banana shot' (free kick) against France, when the ball had an unbelievable trajectory to beat the France goal keeper, is widely regarded as the best free kick of all time.
He came close to winning the Ballon d’Or award in the year 2002. But the eventual winner was his Brazilian and Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo, who got 169 points in the Ballon d’Or voting results. Roberto Carlos could get only 145 points, coming in as the second best ahead of Oliver Kahn.
Roberto Carlos losing out to Ronaldo is another indicator of how strikers in football enjoy whole lots of popularity over the defenders and custodians.
