Comparing Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes by their career Ballon d'Or votes

Looking back at the career Ballon d'Or votes of Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard makes for very interesting reading.

Yes, we're delving into one of football's age old questions - who's the greatest midfielder between Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard?

Well, here's a look at the trio of Premier League legends through their career Ballon d'Or votes, and it paints a fascinating story.

Gerrard ranks above both Lampard and Scholes. What's more, it's not really that close.

The Liverpool legend received 220 votes throughout his career, with the Chelsea hero recording 169 votes while the Man United icon failed to pick up a single vote during his storied playing days.

Steven Gerrard = 220 votes

- 2001 = 1 vote

- 2005 = 142 votes

- 2006 = 0 votes

- 2007 = 17 votes

- 2008 = 28 votes

- 2009 = 32 votes

Frank Lampard = 169 votes

- 2004 = 5 votes

- 2005 = 148 votes

- 2006 = 3 votes

- 2008 = 8 votes

- 2009 = 5 votes

Paul Scholes = 0 votes

- 2000 = 0 votes

- 2001 = 0 votes

- 2003 = 0 votes

- 2004 = 0 votes

- 2007 = 0 votes

In fact, Scholes has received the most Ballon d'Or nominations without ever receiving a single vote (5) per Football 365.

Both Gerrard and Lampard received their most votes in the same year (2005).

Lampard, though, pipped Gerrard to second place with Ronaldinho being crowned Ballon d'Or winner.

It's not the first time Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard have been the subject of fierce debate.

Champions League's official Twitter posed the question to fans with Gerrard coming out on top.

Scholes, Lampard or Gerrard? Who's the best?