The Ballon d’Or is football’s ultimate individual accolade, reserved for players who dominate domestically, shine in Europe or light up World Cups.
But sometimes the shortlist throws up names that make fans double-take. Players whose inclusion is more about a moment, a tournament or an unexpected peak rather than sustained brilliance. Here are ten of the most unlikely nominees in history.
10) Mario Balotelli
Mercurial, brilliant and chaotic – in equal measure. Balotelli’s Euro 2012 semi-final brace against Germany was enough to secure a Ballon d’Or nomination. He had the talent to justify his position amongst the elite, but never the consistency. His inclusion sums him up perfectly; moments of genius among the madness.
9) Gerard Moreno
Villarreal’s Europa League hero in 2021, Moreno scored seven goals and netted in the final against Manchester United. For a player outside the Champions League spotlight, his nomination was surprising, a rare nod to achievement in the secondary European competition rather than global superstardom.
8) Papa Bouba Diop
Senegal’s midfield giant etched his name into history with the winner against France in the 2002 World Cup opener. He added two more goals in the group stage, but at club level with Lens he was nowhere near Europe’s elite. His nomination was a reward for Senegal’s unforgettable fairytale.
A dearly departed legend – the streets won’t forget Papa Bouba Diop.
7) Younis Mahmoud
Mahmoud captained Iraq to their first ever Asian Cup triumph in 2007, scoring the winner in the final whilst also topping the goalscoring charts. It was a once-in-a-lifetime achievement that shocked the football world. His nomination was symbolic as much as it was sporting, a rare nod to a player outside the European spotlight.
6) Asamoah Gyan
Gyan’s World Cup in 2010 was heroic. Three goals dragged Ghana to the brink of the semi-final until Luis Suarez’s save on the line broke their hearts. Playing for Sunderland at the time, his nomination felt surreal. For one summer, he carried a continent’s hopes and was rightly rewarded.
5) Scott McTominay
What makes his inclusion so unlikely is the context. This wasn’t a Champions League run, a World Cup fairytale or the usual hype-driven campaign. It was the story of a player written off at United who became indispensable in Italy, proving that reinvention at the top level is still possible. McTominay’s 2025 nomination is as improbable as it is deserved.
4) Emmanuel Adebayor
For one season, Adebayor was unstoppable. In 2008, he bullied defenders for fun and was clinical in front of goal. It was a phenomenal year, but one that stood out as a peak amongst an otherwise middling career.
3) Rogério Ceni
Not many players have earned Ballon d’Or nominations for their set piece taking, but then again Ceni is not like any other player on the planet. A goalkeeper with over 100 career goals is unlikely to be a feat repeated any time soon. Take away his goals and he was still a remarkable goalkeeper, but his nomination is still noteworthy as he never plied his trade in a top league nor did he establish himself as the consistent number one for Brazil. His nomination is a testament to one of football’s most unique careers.
2) Andrey Arshavin
Euro 2008 made Arshavin a household name, despite only playing 3 games. Suspended for Russia’s first two group stage games, Arshavin’s performances against Sweden and the Netherlands were enough to thrust him into the spotlight.
Arshavin ended up sixth in the rankings, placing him above the likes of David Villa, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Wayne Rooney, Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba. For a fleeting moment, he looked world-class. His high finish still feels like one of the most unlikely in Ballon d’Or history.
1) Hatem Trabelsi
The most surprising Ballon d’Or nomination ever. The Tunisian right-back was tidy, reliable, and effective, but nobody expected his name on the shortlist alongside the world’s elite. He picked up zero votes, yet his inclusion stands as one of the award’s strangest historical footnotes. A reminder that the Ballon d’Or can occasionally confound even the most seasoned observers.
These nominations prove the Ballon d’Or isn’t always about sustained brilliance. Sometimes it rewards a hot streak, a fairy-tale tournament or the right season at the right club. From McTominay’s reinvention to Trabelsi’s inclusion, these unlikely nominees remind us that football’s most prestigious individual award occasionally embraces the unexpected.
