'It is particularly painful': recalling how France Football apologised to Iniesta for Ballon d'Or snub

"Forgive us, Andres," France Football's editor Pascal Ferre wrote in 2018. "For us, he wasn't just a player, he was the player. His sacrifices for the team ultimately deprived him of greater individual recognition.

"Of all the absences on the list of Ballon d'Or winners, his is particularly painful."

It really is a shame that Andres Iniesta, one of the best midfielders in the history of the game, has never been awarded the biggest personal accolade there is.

The closest the Barca legend came to winning the award was finishing second to Lionel Messi in 2010. Later, he admitted the Ballon d'Or snub felt unfair. However, 'being a Barca player is the greatest trophy', Iniesta said.

🗣️ 'He'll retire us both!': true story behind iconic photo of Pep Guardiola with teenager Iniesta

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