7 times when the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year did not win Ballon d'Or

#6 Hristo Stoichov (1994)

Hristo Stoichov of Bulgaria

The 1994 Ballon d'Or was awarded to Hristo Stoichov on 20th December 1994. The Bulgarian secured 210 points, beating the likes of Roberto Baggio, who came second with 136 points and Paolo Maldini, who finished third with 109 points. However, when the FIFA World Player of the Year 1994 was announced on 30th January 1995, Stoichov finished second, as Brazilian Romario was chosen the winner. Romario had received 346 points compared to the Bulgarian's 100. It was another instance when the two awards were won by two different individuals in the same year.

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#5 Ronaldo (1996)

Ronaldo

Matthias Sammer became only the second defender in the history of the awards to win the Ballon d'Or on 24th December 1996, when he narrowly edged out a young Ronaldo. The German had secured 144 points, whereas the Brazilian finished with 143. Alan Shearer made up the top three with 107 points. However, when the 1996 FIFA World Player of the Year was declared on 20th January 1997, the tides had turned.

Ronaldo won the award with 329 points, as George Weah finished second with 140 points. Shearer was third again, with 123 points. The Brazilian still remains the youngest player to win the award ever.