OMG, you guys! 🤯 I was diving deep into football history today and stumbled upon something absolutely mind-blowing about three Premier League legends. We all know Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Paul Scholes dominated English football for years, but their Ballon d'Or journeys tell a completely different story about their global recognition. And let me tell you, the numbers are seriously eye-opening!

The Shocking Case of Paul Scholes 😳

Can you believe this? Paul Scholes was nominated for the Ballon d'Or FIVE times during his career but received ZERO votes. Like, literally nada! 🙈

• First nomination: 2000

• Last nomination: 2007 (when Ronaldo finished 2nd!)

• Record holder: Most nominations without a single vote

It's absolutely wild how underrated Scholes was on the global stage. The man was pure class at Manchester United, but the international recognition just wasn't there. So unfair! 😤

Frank Lampard's Near-Miss Glory

Now here's where it gets interesting! Lampard also had 5 nominations but totally smashed it with 169 total votes. The man came SO close to winning it all!

That 2005 season was absolutely iconic - he was just behind Ronaldinho and could've been the first British winner since Michael Owen. So close yet so far! 💔

Steven Gerrard: The Consistent Performer 👑

Stevie G leads the pack with SIX Ballon d'Or nominations! The Liverpool legend's journey was nothing short of impressive:

• 🏆 6 nominations (most among the trio)

• Best finish: 3rd in 2005 with 142 votes

• 📈 Five consecutive nominations from 2005-2009

• 🔥 Final ranking: 10th in 2009 with 32 points

Gerrard's consistency was absolutely remarkable. To be in the conversation year after year while carrying Liverpool on his back? That's legendary status right there!

My Personal Take & Final Thoughts 💭

Looking at these stats in 2025, it's crazy to see how differently these three midfield maestros were perceived internationally. Like, seriously:

🔥 Lampard had the peak moment but fewer overall nominations

⚡ Gerrard showed incredible consistency over time

💎 Scholes was criminally underrated despite his genius

It's mind-boggling that none of them actually won the Ballon d'Or despite their incredible careers. The debate about who was the best will probably never end, but these numbers add such an interesting perspective to the conversation.

What do you guys think? Who was truly the most deserving of these legends? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 And remember - stats don't always tell the full story, but they sure make for some fascinating football tea! ☕⚽