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

#4 Zinedine Zidane (2000)

Zinedine Zidane

On 11th December 2000, French sensation Zinedine Zidane won the 2000 FIFA World Player of the Year, finishing with 370 points. Luis Figo came second with 329 points, whereas Brazilian midfielder Rivaldo came third with 263 points. Zidane was fresh off a triumphant UEFA Euro 2000 campaign, where he had guided France to the trophy and as such, Zizou was expected to win the Ballon d'Or as well.

However, 8 days later on 19th December, the results were a little different. Luis Figo won the Ballon d'Or, finishing with 197 points while Zidane came second with 181 points. The two of them would go on to play together in the same Real Madrid team in the future.

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#3 Luis Figo (2001)

FIFA World Player Awards X

2001 saw a nail-biting end to the year, as both awards were supposed to be declared in a space of two days. On 17th December 2001, Luis Figo won the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year, pipping English sensation David Beckham who came second. The Portuguese finished with 250 points, whereas Beckham had gathered 238. When the Ballon d'Or was awarded a day later on 18th December, the whole world was in for a surprise.

Young English Striker Michael Owen had finished 7th in the race to the FIFA World Player of the Year award but was declared the 2001 Ballon d'Or winner. He had received 176 points, while Raul had finished second with 140 points. German Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn came third with 114 points.