The list of nominees for the Ballon d'Or always includes some dubious names who have somehow made it among the finalists for the coveted award. Here are some of the most shocking footballers who came close to clinching the award in the last two decades.
2015: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
The midfielder's quality is undeniable, especially in the best years of his career. However, in 2015 he was completely out of form and City boss Pellegrini even left him out of the squad on several occasions. Therefore, it came as quite a surprise when he was included in the list as the twelfth-best player in the world.
2010: Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland)
The striker did go on to shine at the World Cup, but his dismal performances in the Premier League said otherwise. He was among the world's best (in 18th place) and then joined a string of second-tier clubs.
2007: Younis Mahmoud (Al-Gharafa)
The Iraq international led his country to the Asian Cup triumph in 2007. He came 29th on the list of best players on the planet and is, to date, the only footballer from his native Iraq to be nominated.
2006: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal)
One of the most controversial editions in recent memory. The German was considered the best keeper in the world and the 10th best in total, something he failed to show for the Gunners.
2005: Luis García (Liverpool)
The former Spain international enjoyed a decent career for Liverpool and his national team, shining intermittently. Enough to be named the 23rd best footballer in the world? Maybe not.
2004: Theodoros Zagorakis (AEK/Bologna)
The Greece captain was one of the main reasons why they shocked Europe in 2004, but he was never good enough to be among the very best on the planet. He came fifth in the race for the Ballon d'Or trophy that year.
2003: Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund)
The towering Czech striker was reasonably good for his height but he never merited a place with football's elite. In 2003, the Ballon d'Or votes made him the 23rd best player in the world.
2002: Papa Bouba Diop (Lens)
The Senegalese midfielder enjoyed a successful spell in the Premier League after shining for Lens, but that does not explain the decision to including him in the Ballon d'Or list. In 2002, he came in 21st in the world.
2001: Emmanuel Olisadebe (Panathinaikos)
This striker became a Polish citizen before a successful stint in Greece. He was once among the very best, coming in 18th place ahead of the likes of Rui Costa, Gerrard or Roberto Baggio.
2001: Ebbe Sand (Schalke 04)
A striker with similar traits to those of Jan Koller, but noticeably lacking the Czech striker's quality on the ball. Ebbe Sand was 18th alongside Olisadebe in the 2001 edition.
2000: Zlatko Zahovic (Olympiakos/Valencia)
The Slovenian playmaker was included in two lists, coming 14th in 1999 and 12th in 2000. Despite only performing brielfy in the 90's, he was then voted ahead of Totti or Roberto Carlos.
1998: Ronald De Boer (Ajax)
Frank was the most successful of the two twins, but his brother found limited success after leaving Barcelona. In 1998, he was considered the 21st in the world. After that, he did not achieve much more.
1997: Bent Skammelsrud (Rosenborg)
A good midfielder who lifted 11 consecutive league titles with Rosenborg. He was by no means one of the best players of his generation in Europe, despite his nomination for the award in 1997.
1996: Trifon Ivanov (Rapid Wien)
The Bulgarian defender was included in 1996. His hard work made him challenge for the award in 22nd place but he was never quite good enough to be considered world-class.
2015: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
The midfielder's quality is undeniable, especially in the best years of his career. However, in 2015 he was completely out of form and City boss Pellegrini even left him out of the squad on several occasions. Therefore, it came as quite a surprise when he was included in the list as the twelfth-best player in the world.
2010: Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland)
The striker did go on to shine at the World Cup, but his dismal performances in the Premier League said otherwise. He was among the world's best (in 18th place) and then joined a string of second-tier clubs.
2007: Younis Mahmoud (Al-Gharafa)
The Iraq international led his country to the Asian Cup triumph in 2007. He came 29th on the list of best players on the planet and is, to date, the only footballer from his native Iraq to be nominated.
2006: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal)
One of the most controversial editions in recent memory. The German was considered the best keeper in the world and the 10th best in total, something he failed to show for the Gunners.
2005: Luis García (Liverpool)
The former Spain international enjoyed a decent career for Liverpool and his national team, shining intermittently. Enough to be named the 23rd best footballer in the world? Maybe not.
2004: Theodoros Zagorakis (AEK/Bologna)
The Greece captain was one of the main reasons why they shocked Europe in 2004, but he was never good enough to be among the very best on the planet. He came fifth in the race for the Ballon d'Or trophy that year.
2003: Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund)
The towering Czech striker was reasonably good for his height but he never merited a place with football's elite. In 2003, the Ballon d'Or votes made him the 23rd best player in the world.
2002: Papa Bouba Diop (Lens)
The Senegalese midfielder enjoyed a successful spell in the Premier League after shining for Lens, but that does not explain the decision to including him in the Ballon d'Or list. In 2002, he came in 21st in the world.
2001: Emmanuel Olisadebe (Panathinaikos)
This striker became a Polish citizen before a successful stint in Greece. He was once among the very best, coming in 18th place ahead of the likes of Rui Costa, Gerrard or Roberto Baggio.
2001: Ebbe Sand (Schalke 04)
A striker with similar traits to those of Jan Koller, but noticeably lacking the Czech striker's quality on the ball. Ebbe Sand was 18th alongside Olisadebe in the 2001 edition.
2000: Zlatko Zahovic (Olympiakos/Valencia)
The Slovenian playmaker was included in two lists, coming 14th in 1999 and 12th in 2000. Despite only performing brielfy in the 90's, he was then voted ahead of Totti or Roberto Carlos.
1998: Ronald De Boer (Ajax)
Frank was the most successful of the two twins, but his brother found limited success after leaving Barcelona. In 1998, he was considered the 21st in the world. After that, he did not achieve much more.
1997: Bent Skammelsrud (Rosenborg)
A good midfielder who lifted 11 consecutive league titles with Rosenborg. He was by no means one of the best players of his generation in Europe, despite his nomination for the award in 1997.
1996: Trifon Ivanov (Rapid Wien)
The Bulgarian defender was included in 1996. His hard work made him challenge for the award in 22nd place but he was never quite good enough to be considered world-class.