The 2023 Ballon d’Or nominees dropped in a bizarre Twitter spectacle that left fans scratching their heads. While Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland made the cut, several notable names were left in the cold. Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence stole the spotlight, but a closer look reveals some perplexing omissions.
Federico Dimarco
Federico Dimarco, the unsung hero of Inter’s Champions League journey, deserved recognition for his defensive prowess and playmaking skills. He was able to keep Erling Haaland caged in the final. Yet his contribution has not been recognized by French Football.
Casemiro
Manchester United campaign last season was helped a lot by Casemiro’s transformative impact. It has however gone unnoticed, despite his crucial role in their success.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
It is seems Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been rendered the scapegoat for Barcelona’s inability to make it out of the group stage of last season’s Champions League. His brilliance between the posts for Barcelona didn’t earn him a nod, leaving fans puzzled. Ter Stegen was instrumental in Barcelona’s campaign for La Liga title. He played all 38 games and conceded just 18 goals. According to Goal.com, Ter Stegen kept more clean sheets in all competitions than any other goalkeeper in Europe. He maintained a staggering 75 percent save success rate.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford’s prolific season went unrewarded, even as he outperformed some Ballon d’Or nominees. Scoring 30 goals and providing 9 assists, Opta says only six players were directly involved in more goals in all competitions last season than Marcus Rashford. All six player made the shortlist.
Even those immediately below him on that particular ranking – Lautaro Martinez, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane and Karim Benzema – were included.
Now to the not so deserving:
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish, the star boy of English media did not get his name on the Ballon d’Or shortlist. The media hype failed to secure him a spot, emphasizing that talent must outshine the narrative.
Neymar
Neymar, once considered a Messi’s heir apparent, found himself on the sidelines, wondering how his career veered off course.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his age-defying goalscoring in Saudi Arabia, has been omitted from the shortlist. This is the first time in 20 years that the Portuguese will face his first Ballon d’Or snub. A horrible time in Manchester United and the Portuguese National team during the World Cup in Qatar is still fresh in the minds. Five Ballon d’Or trophies are however no joke. He and Lionel Messi will always be remembered for changing the face of football.
In a twist of fate, the Ballon d’Or shortlist paints a picture of football’s ever-changing landscape, where past glories don’t guarantee a place among the world’s best.
