For football masters like Andrés Iniesta, the Ballon d’Or may be a powerful symbol of greatness — but it has never been a requirement. As noted by Mundo Deportivo, “History will ultimately prove your greatness.” And as time passes, Iniesta is destined to be remembered as nothing short of a legend.
Just like Pelé, Cruyff, Maradona, Di Stéfano, or Kubala, Iniesta stands in a league of his own. Comparing him to others seems futile, because his impact is unique. When the whole world agrees that you were robbed of a Ballon d’Or — and even the award’s organizing body publicly apologizes — that in itself becomes a bigger endorsement than the trophy ever could be. Iniesta’s greatness never depended on that golden statue.
At a recent press conference, when asked if he felt regret about not winning the Ballon d’Or, Iniesta answered with the same grace he’s always shown: “Whether I’m happy has nothing to do with winning the Ballon d’Or. I value the love of the fans much more.”
Iniesta has always treated individual accolades with humility. Back in 2012, when he made the Ballon d’Or shortlist, he simply said, “I’m happy that people appreciate what I’ve done. It’s not about winning awards — you don’t need a trophy to know whether you’ve done well or not.”
When France Football, the Ballon d’Or’s organizer, went as far as publishing a rare editorial saying they “owe Iniesta a Ballon d’Or,” it only confirmed what many already believed — that his impact on football transcends silverware.
Iniesta, Xavi, Pirlo, and Buffon — none of them have Ballon d’Ors, yet all of them are pillars of modern football. Xavi and Iniesta were the architects of the tiki-taka era, redefining what control and creativity looked like in midfield. Buffon is still hailed as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. Pirlo was named by UEFA as one of the men who changed the game’s history.
Awards are not always the final word on greatness. Charlie Chaplin never won an Oscar for Best Actor, yet remains one of the greatest cinematic geniuses of the silent film era. When he finally received a lifetime achievement Oscar in 1972, the entire audience stood and applauded for five straight minutes in a tribute to his legacy.
Even Stephen Hawking and Dmitri Mendeleev — the man behind the periodic table — never received a Nobel Prize. And in the Messi-Ronaldo era, winning a Ballon d’Or has been nearly impossible for anyone else. But every time the world debates whether a particular Ballon d’Or should have gone to Iniesta, it reinforces the respect and admiration he commands.
After all, greatness is not always defined by trophies. Just as nearly every student knows about black holes or the periodic table without checking Nobel Prize lists, Iniesta’s name will live on in football lore — with or without a Ballon d’Or.