Ballon d’Or 2020: Who Should Have Lifted Football’s Biggest Individual Prize?

The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious individual award, recognising the very best players in the world. Every year, speculation runs wild as fans and pundits debate who deserves the crown. But 2020 was unlike any other year. With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting leagues, postponing the Euros, and cancelling the Champions League final, the French magazine France Football made the controversial decision not to award a Ballon d’Or in 2020.

While we didn’t get an official winner, the rumours and predictions were hotly debated, with several stars standing head and shoulders above the rest. Here’s a look at the top contenders, who was tipped to win, and a closer look at the players who dominated discussions.

The Winner That Never Was - Robert Lewandowski

Though there was no official winner, most football fans and journalists agreed that Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich was the frontrunner. Lewandowski had a phenomenal 2019/20 season, smashing goal records in the Bundesliga, lifting the Champions League, and helping Bayern achieve a historic treble. Many argued that had the Ballon d’Or been awarded, it would have been Lewandowski’s year, finally breaking the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly.

Top Contenders

Besides Lewandowski, the 2020 Ballon d’Or shortlist featured a host of incredible talent:

• Lionel Messi (Argentina / Barcelona) – Even in a disrupted season, Messi continued to score, assist, and mesmerise fans with his brilliance.

• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus) – The evergreen forward remained a threat in Serie A and Champions League, proving age is just a number.

• Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City) – De Bruyne’s vision and midfield mastery made him arguably the best creative midfielder in the world.

• Kylian Mbappé (France / PSG) – The young French superstar continued to dominate Ligue 1 and the Champions League with his explosive pace and finishing.

Player Spotlight: Top 5 Nominees

Let’s take a closer look at the five players most fans believed were in the running for the 2020 Ballon d’Or:

1. Robert Lewandowski – Poland / Bayern Munich

Lewandowski’s 2020 season was historic. He scored 55 goals in 47 games, led Bayern Munich to a treble, and consistently terrorised defences across Europe. Many saw him as the most deserving Ballon d’Or winner in years.

2. Lionel Messi – Argentina / Barcelona

Messi continued to perform at the highest level, even if Barcelona’s overall season was inconsistent. With 31 goals in La Liga, he remained a magician on the pitch and a fan favourite globally.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal / Juventus

Despite Juventus’ mixed season, Ronaldo’s individual stats never dipped. He finished as Serie A’s top scorer, keeping himself firmly in the conversation for football’s top individual accolade.

4. Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium / Manchester City

De Bruyne’s creativity, vision, and consistency in the Premier League and Champions League made him the ideal midfield maestro. He provided numerous assists and dictated play like few others in 2020.

5. Kylian Mbappé – France / PSG

The French prodigy continued to evolve, combining speed, skill, and finishing ability. With PSG dominating Ligue 1, Mbappé was rightfully seen as one of the world’s elite forwards.

Top 15 Predicted Rankings for the 2020 Ballon d’Or

2020 might have been a year without a Ballon d’Or, but the debates and discussions around it showed just how competitive world football had become. From Lewandowski’s record-breaking season to Messi and Ronaldo proving they’re still among the elite, fans were spoiled for choice.

Even though no one lifted the trophy, 2020 gave us some of the most memorable performances of the decade—and for football fans, that’s a win in itself.