5 of the Greatest players never to have won The Best FIFA Men's Player award

The Best FIFA Football awards ceremony was held in London yesterday. The highlight of the ceremony was the announcements of FIFA FIFPro World XI, FIFA Puskás Award and the most prestigious of them all the Best FIFA Men's Player award.

After a decade-long dominance by the GOATs: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it was Croatian midfield maestro Luka Modric, who was named FIFA’s player of the year for the 2017-18 season.

Before Modric, Messi and Ronaldo had been the only winners of FIFA’s top individual award since 2008, winning five titles each.

It is the biggest individual title any player can dream of. Being crowned the best player in the world football, by national coaches, national captains, a select group of media and the fans alike, has got to feel great.

Unfortunately, only one player can be the winner here. And with so many talented players in the world football at any given moment, there have been cases where some of the best players of their times have had to miss out on this honour.

It is really shocking to see the names of some of the best players in world football to not be in the winner's list. So, without further ado, let's get right into the list of 5 greatest players who could not win the Best FIFA Men's player award in their career:

---

#5 Xavi

Xavi is regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time

Xavier Hernández Creus or Xavi as he is commonly known as is one of the most decorated players in Barcelona's history. He won 8 La Liga titles and 4 UEFA Champions League titles with the Blaugrana.

He was one of the best players in the world during the last decade. Xavi won the 2008 and 2012 Euros as well as the World Cup in 2010 with La Furia Roja. He was the part of the Barcelona team, that became the only team in the world to win the Continental treble twice.

Known for his passing abilities, he is sometimes viewed as the embodiment of the 'tika-taka' passing style of play.

But it is really unfortunate that he could only manage a third-place finish in the FIFA World's Best player awards in 2009 and subsequently in the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards in 2010 and 2011. A player of his quality would have definitely won the award in any other era.

#4 Oliver Kahn

Oliver Kahn remains the only goalkeeper in FIFA World Cup history to win the Golden Ball award

Very well known to fans and players alike for his commanding presence in the goal and an aggressive style, not usually associated with goalkeepers, Oliver Kahn was arguably the best goalkeeper of his generation.

Der Titan, as he is referred to sometimes, is one of the most decorated German players in the history of football. He has won every major title on club and national level, except for the World Cup. Despite not winning the World Cup, Kahn cemented his legacy as the only goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball award at the end of the 2002 tournament.

He was the first goalkeeper since 1976 to make it into the top 3 of the Best FIFA Men's Player awards. And it was a long 12 years wait after Kahn's nominations that any other goalkeeper would make it into the top 3 again. It was none other than Manuel Neuer who came in third position in 2014.

#3 Andrés Iniesta

Iniesta scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands

The second La Masia product on our list, Andrés Iniesta is arguably the best central midfielder of all time. During his time with Barcelona, he went on to help his side secure 33 trophies overall, including 8 La Liga titles and 4 UEFA Champions League titles.

With Xavi, he formed one of the most intimidating midfield partnerships in world football. He won many individual honours with Spain, including Man of the Match in the 2010 World Cup final and in the EURO 2012 final as well. He was named the Player of the tournament for his contribution in that campaign.

But, all of his performances have always seemed to fall short of the necessary requirements for an individual award as he was never named the FIFA Best player in his career.

He came close though, having scored the winning goal in the World Cup he came in at second position in the Ballon d'Or in 2010. And after Spain's second consecutive EURO triumph, he found himself on the third position in 2012.

#2 Thierry Henry

Henry is the top scoring overseas player in the Premier League history

Thierry Henry, one of the best strikers of the Premier League era, who had won all possible individual honours in England, could not win the World's best player award in his career.

On club and national level, Henry has been prolific and has won every major trophy including the World Cup, Euro, Premier League as well as the UEFA Champions League.

But even the best of his performances fell short when the 2003 awards were announced. He came in second that time, only behind his compatriot Zinedine Zidane, whose wonder goal in the Champions League final helped Real Madrid to European glory in the previous year.

#1 David Beckham

David Beckham is the first player to win league titles in 4 different countries

David Beckham is probably the most well known of the so-called "Class of '92" academy players. He became known for his passing abilities and more notably so for his set-piece expertise.

One of the most iconic footballers of all time Beckham was very successful at club level, but unfortunately could not repeat his performances on the international stage. It is his inability to perform for the Three Lions is what is said to have played a big role in him coming up short of claiming the best player's title.

Although, he came agonizingly close to winning the award in 2001, loosing out to future Real Madrid teammate Luis Figo by 12 points.