Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi both fail to make the Ballon d'Or shortlist for the first time since 2005
When the Ballon d'Or candidates were announced on Friday, two of soccer's biggest stars were left off the list. The 30 nominees for the trophy did not include Lionel Messi or Neymar Jr.
For Messi, it's the first time since 2005 that he hasn't received a nomination.
The past two times the Ballon d'Or has been awarded, in 2021 and 2019, Messi was the winner. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the prize to be cancelled in 2020. Furthermore, Messi was the recipient in 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009. The most Ballon d'Or victories of any player are his seven. He's also finished either second or third in the voting six times.
Neymar also failed to make the cut. He has yet to win the award, but has finished third in the voting two times — 2015 and 2017.
Messi and Neymar played for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021–2022. The group had a record of 26-8-4 and won Ligue 1. After scoring 30 goals with Barcelona in the 2020–21 season, Messi scored six goals this past season. Neymar played 22 games for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 13 goals and dishing out 6 assists.
The Ballon d'Or 2022 nominees will be unveiled on Friday. The subject of whether Lionel Messi and Neymar will be included this year, and if they are, whether they deserve to be included, is raised. After a dismal year, the participation of the South American stars of Paris Saint-Germain could irreparably harm the prestige of the prize itself.
The never-ending discussions regarding the Ballon d'Or have brought back the media circus. We receive the nominations on Friday, narrowing the hopes of those who are just outside contention. Right now it seems that the favourite is French, in the form of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
There is no question about the participation of the top scorer in the 2021–2022 Champions League, although questions surround both Lionel Messi and Neymar.
The top individual honors recognize the work from the previous season, even though the superstar combination may have returned to their greatest form in the closing season. The jury will have a difficult time including the two South Americans using these criteria.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0