Top 5 players who beat Messi and Ronaldo to major individual awards

4. Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta is one of the greatest playmakers the football world has ever seen. He is well recognised in Spain and all over the world. He is also one of the few players who have won all the major competitions in his glorious career including both the world cup and the UEFA Champions League.

In 2012, he had an extraordinary season in which he upset the odds and defeated both Messi and Ronaldo to the UEFA Best Player award. This is an awesome achievement if you consider that Messi and Ronaldo were the dominant players then.

Besides, it should be recalled that the Spaniard beat Ronaldo by coming second in the 2010 Ballon d'Or awards. He also shared the same podium with them again in 2012.

About the author

Jidonu is a European and international football news writer at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and has around 7 years of previous experience working with the likes of Tribuna and SportRaba, Jidonu has a good eye for detail and has the ability to created cohesive articles, and reporting exploits have also led him to exclusively cover the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the past.

Jidonu’s tryst with football started after watching the 2002 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, being mesmerized by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Barcelona philosophy and approach towards the game under Pep Guardiola further fueled the burgeoning love for the sport, and he has been a Culer ever since.

Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi is his favorite player and is the one true GOAT for him over Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2022 FIFA World Cup final, where Messi's brace led to La Albiceleste lifting the cup left a lasting impact on him. His love for Messi also sees him follow Major League Soccer apart from Europe’s top five leagues.

In his free time, Jidonu raps and produces music, and also enjoys reading and swimming.

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Edited by Shambhu Ajith