Henry and Richards in shock after finding out Carragher’s ranking at 2005 Ballon d’Or awards
THIERRY HENRY and Micah Richards were left in shock by Jamie Carragher’s ranking in the 2005 Ballon d’Or.
The popular trio reunited for Champions League punditry duty for CBS on Wednesday.
And they got up to their usual hilarious antics ahead of the action.
That included a discussion about the Ballon d’Or as they had the famous trophy in the studio.
Erling Haaland is at risk of missing out on the prestigious gong despite his sensational antics in Manchester City’s Treble-winning season.
But should the Norwegian striker get pipped, likely by Argentina’s World Cup hero Lionel Messi, then he would certainly have some sympathy from Carragher.
That is because the former England defender was snubbed for the 2005 Ballon d’Or – despite helping Liverpool win the Champions League in dramatic fashion in Istanbul.
Carragher finished joint-20th – alongside a fresh-faced 20-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
CBS presenter Kate Abdo said: “Do you know who we should also give some credit to for how close they came in 2005 as the man who came joint-20th with Cristiano Ronaldo? Who was it?”
Richards jumped in: “Do not say Carra.”
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
The studio then erupted into delirium as the standings were revealed – with Carragher of Liverpool and England then Ronaldo both 20th behind Zinedine Zidane in 18th and Gianluigi Buffon in 19th.
Carragher banged the table with his hands and shouted: “I’m above Ronaldo! Hahaha! And this fella said I can’t touch it [the trophy].”
Henry replied: “Oh my gosh. Zizou 18th and you 20th. That’s it, we’re dead.”
Richards – who ripped his trousers live on air – asked: “I can’t believe that. Who did you pay for that? I can’t.”
Carragher then demanded the CBS social media team post the clip online immediately to spread the result far and wide.
And fans watching on at home were in hysterics at the brilliant piece of TV.
2005 Ballon d'Or Results
1st Ronaldinho
2nd Frank Lampard
3rd Steven Gerrard
4th Thierry Henry
5th Andriy Shevchenko
6th Paolo Maldini
7th Adriano
8th Zlatan Ibrahimovic
9th Kaka
10th Samuel Eto’o
11th John Terry
12th Juninho
13th Claude Makelele
=14th Juan Roman Riquelme
=14th Petr Cech
=14th Didier Drogba
=14th Michael Ballack
18th Zinedine Zidane
19th Gianluigi Buffon
=20th Jamie Carragher
=20th Cristiano Ronaldo
22nd Michael Essien
=23rd Luis García
=23rd Pavel Nedved
One said: “Carragher will never forget that.”
Another wrote: “Carragher is just having a ball with life right now. Love to see it!”
A third added: “Carra was robbed in broad daylight.”
A fourth replied: “You’re a troll.”
And a final user commented: “Joking aside, you were quality. Still remember you clearing the ball while you had cramp.”
Carragher’s inspirational captain and team-mate Steven Gerrard came third in the vote while Luis Garcia was joint-23rd.
Three of the beaten AC Milan team from that memorable final were above the centre-back – Andriy Shevchenko (fifth), Paolo Maldini (sixth) and Kaka (ninth).
Carragher’s fellow pundit Henry came fourth with Frank Lampard second.
But top of the pile for his one and only Ballon d’Or was Barcelona and Brazil magician Ronaldinho.