7 Footballers Who Would Have Won the Ballon d'Or if Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo Didn't Exist

Fernando Torres (Liverpool & Spain)

Liverpool v Marseille - UEFA Champions League

Hard as it may be to believe now given the nature of his goal-shy existence at Chelsea following what was then a British record £50m fee and a less than stellar spell at AC Milan, Fernando Torres was the most feared 'number nine' in the world back in 2008.

His electric pace was the stuff of nightmares for Premier League defenders when at Liverpool, while he scored the winning goal in the Euro 2008 final that sealed Spain's long overdue first international silverware in 44 barren years.

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona & Spain)

FC Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao - Copa del Rey

Much like long time colleague Xavi, Andres Iniesta was central to the success of his club and country over a number of years and was arguably never in better form than he was in 2010 when he helped Spain conquer the world.

Iniesta had already been mesmeric as Barcelona played Manchester United off the pitch in the 2009 Champions League final and would be so again two years later against the same opposition, while it was fitting that he should score the winning goal in the World Cup final.