Top 5 forwards who never made the Ballon d'Or podium (Top 3)

#3 Ryan Giggs

Celtic v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League

Ryan Giggs was a product of the famed Class of '92 batch who made history with Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. He won a massive haul of 34 trophies during his tenure at Old Trafford, which includes 13 English Premier League titles.

Giggs was ever-present in Sir Alex Ferguson's squad for as long as one can remember. His unparalleled longevity and consistency made him a Premier League legend. The Wales winger remains one of the Premier League's all-time greats. He won numerous individual accolades over the years until his retirement in 2014.

Despite his legendary career, Giggs never made it into the top three of the Ballon d'Or.

#2 Luis Suarez

FC Barcelona v Real Betis Balompie - La Liga

Luis Suarez is controversial in nature but no one can doubt his excellence in front of goal. His time with Ajax, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona is a testament to the fact that he is one of the best strikers in modern football.

The Uruguayan striker did manage to outscore Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during his peak in 2016, winning the European Golden boot in the process. The forward was part of Barcelona's legendary 'MSN' trio, helping Barcelona win the treble in the 2014-15 campaign. Suarez racked up 25 goals and 23 assists in that particular season and was a key member of Barcelona's triumph.

The closest that Suarez came to a podium finish at the Ballon d'Or was in 2015 when he finished fifth.

#1 Robert Lewandowski

FC Bayern München v Dinamo Kiev: Group E - UEFA Champions League

Without a doubt, Robert Lewandowski is currently the best striker in the world. Even after spending more than a decade in top flight football, Lewandowski remains at the peak of his powers. The forward helped Bayern Munich win numerous titles in his time with the Bavarians and 2020-21 was no different.

The Polish striker had scored a whopping 41 goals in just 29 Bundesliga appearances in the 2020-21 season. He ended the season with 48 goals and nine assists in all competitions.

Unfortunately, France Football decided not to give the Ballon d'Or award in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic. But there was a strong debate that Robert Lewandowski would've won it considering his exploits. Lewandowski will have another chance as his performance in 2021 remains nothing short of sensational.