Cristiano Ronaldo ranked 20th in this year's Ballon d'Or vote - his joint-lowest ranking since he was first nominated in 2004 - but Son Heung-min finished a record-breaking 11th.
Ronaldo, 37, scored 24 goals in all competitions last season, but his club side Manchester United struggled under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick - finishing sixth in the Premier League and failing to win silverware for the fifth consecutive season.
As this year's Ballon d'Or vote was based on performances during the 2021/22 campaign, Ronaldo had little chance of placing much higher. He nomination was a reward for his scoring exploits, yet he wasn't among the frontrunners due to United's poor form.
Karim Benzema picked up his first Ballon d'Or after scoring 44 goals and winning three trophies at Real Madrid - including the Champions League. He also achieved success at international level, scoring for France in their Nations League final win against Spain.
When it comes to the Ballon d'Or, Ronaldo's record is astonishing. He's been nominated a record 18 times and bagged five wins, with only Lionel Messi boasting more victories (seven). Yet his ranking in this year's vote suggests his remarkable powers are waning.
Ronaldo was first nominated for the Ballon d'Or back in 2004 when he finished 12th in the vote. Since then, he's won the competition five times, finished as runner-up on six occasions, while also recording finishes of third, sixth (twice), 14th and 20th (twice).
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There's a good chance Ronaldo won't even be nominated for next year's award, as he's scored just two goals this season. Yet much will depend on his performances at the World Cup in Qatar - which starts next month - and how United's season finishes.
Son, meanwhile, made history by finishing 11th in the Ballon d'Or vote. That's the highest ranking recorded by an Asian player in the history of the men's award - another indication of the fine player he's become during his seven-and-a-bit seasons at Tottenham.
Son, 30, scored 23 Premier League goals last term to share the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah. The South Korea international has won countless individual awards during his career and would love to break Tottenham's long wait for silverware this season.
Spurs haven't lifted a trophy since their League Cup win in 2008. They've since lost three League Cup finals, the Champions League final and finished as runners-up in the Premier League since. Tottenham's wait for silverware puts United's into perspective.
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has urged Son and his teammates to turn their individual achievements into collective glory. He said in August: "I know he [Harry Kane] reached another big achievement, a personal big achievement. But we're trying to work together, with the team.
"And always with Harry to have not only personal achievements - like last season for example when Son was top scorer in the league - but to try to have a big achievement together for the team and the club. I think every single player is ready to exchange a personal achievement to reach a trophy.... The path is long but we have to try to do this."
