Either Ronaldo or Messi have won 11 of the last 12 Ballon d’Or titles, with Luka Modric’s 2018 success the exception.
The former was the Premier League’s last winner in 2008 during his first stint at Old Trafford, but Virgil van Dijk came agonisingly close to toppling Messi in 2019.
This year, there is a strong Premier League field with 14 nominees in the final 30-man shortlist currently based in England.
The country’s long run without a winner will continue beyond 2021, though, as Messi gears up to collect what could be the final Ballon d’Or award in his incredible collection.