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

Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich & France)

Borussia Dortmund v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Final

Initially, a journeyman who struggled to settle in the first five years of his professional career, turning out for five different clubs, Franck Ribery found his feet after moving to Bayern Munich in 2007 and propelling himself to a level that had previously seemed unlikely.

Ribery enjoyed a marvellous 2012/13 season as Bayern swept all before them to complete a first-ever Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League treble. He then enjoyed an even better start to 2013/14 on a personal level and was among the very best there was.

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany)

Real Madrid v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League

Semi Final

Manuel Neuer has been credited over recent years with redefining the art of modern goalkeeping, bring his unique brand of sweeper-keeper to the fore, playing with his feet, and inspiring a whole new generation of elite stoppers.

In 2014, following more Bundesliga dominance with Bayern Munich and World Cup glory with Germany, Neuer came close to becoming the first goalkeeper since the legendary 'Black Panther' Lev Yashin in 1963 to win the Ballon d'Or and be recognised as best in the world.