Profitable the Ballon d’Or is a common dream amongst footballers because it’s considered one of sport’s most prestigious particular person achievements.
Quite a few legends of the sport have lifted the enduring trophy aside from Thierry Henry, who confronted arguably one of many largest snubs of all.
Because it was first launched in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has principally been awarded to the participant for the very best achievements within the calendar 12 months.
This was modified in 2022 to take the earlier season into consideration as a substitute however the previous years noticed voters observe the previous guidelines.
Henry was named as one of many 50 nominees for the award in 2004 when the striker then taking part in for Arsenal and France.
Throughout that calendar 12 months, he scored an unimaginable 46 objectives and added an extra 16 assists throughout all competitions for membership and nation.
He was essential to Arsenal’s Premier League Invincible title success throughout that point and due to this fact a favorite to win the Ballon d’Or.
Nevertheless, he completed fourth behind the winner Andriy Shevchenko, second-placed Deco and third-placed Ronaldinho.
Ukrainian Shevchenko was Serie A’s high scorer with 24 objectives within the 2003/04 marketing campaign at AC Milan, with whom he gained the Italian league title.
Deco gained the Portuguese title and Champions League with Porto, with Ronaldinho reaching 28 objective contributions for Barcelona.
Henry fell in need of the three and had in actual fact missed out on the Ballon d’Or for a second consecutive 12 months.
Pavel Nedved was topped winner in 2003 because of his Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana success at Juventus.
The Czech Republic icon completed forward of the second-placed Henry however was left shocked that he claimed victory over the Frenchman.
“For me, Thierry Henry is the very best ahead on the planet now,” he stated when he collected his award as per The Athletic. “I’m very completely satisfied.
“I didn’t suppose I might beat Thierry Henry, Paolo Maldini or Zinedine Zidane and if I had voted, I might have voted for Thierry and for the opposite gamers on the rostrum.”
Henry was nominated for the Ballon d’Or 9 occasions all through his profession however was unable to get his palms on the trophy.
The 2024 winner will likely be introduced on Monday evening, with Actual Madrid star Vinicius Jr the reported frontrunner for the title.
The 2004 Ballon d’Or outcomes
1 – Andriy Shevchenko – AC Milan and Ukraine – 175 factors
2 – Deco – Porto, Barcelona and Portugal – 139 factors
3 – Ronaldinho – Barcelona and Brazil – 133 factors
4 – Thierry Henry – Arsenal and France – 80 factors
5 – Theodoros Zagorakis – AEK Athens, Bologna and Greece – 44 votes
6 – Adriano – Parma, Inter Milan and Brazil
7 – Pavel Nedved – Juventus and the Czech Republic – 23 votes
8 – Wayne Rooney – Everton and England – 22 votes
9= – Ricardo Carvalho, Porto, Chelsea and Portugal, and Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manchester United and the Netherlands – 18 votes every