View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Why Lionel Messi Was Snubbed From Ballon D'Or Nominees List

Why Lionel Messi Was Snubbed From Ballon D'Or Nominees List

The organisers of the Ballon d'Or have explained why Lionel Messi missed out on a nomination for the award for the first time since 2005.

The 30 nominees for the men's Ballon d'Or were named on Friday, with the seven-time winner being snubbed from the candidates list for the first time in 17 years.

Seemingly in an attempt to provide transparency to those confused by Messi's absence from the nominees list, France Football held a recent QA in which they were asked to explain the Argentine being overlooked.

"Inevitably, Lionel Messi, with his 15 appearances in a row since 2006, his seven Ballon d'Or victories, his title holder status, weighs very heavily when it comes to the final choice," the organisers said, according to 90min.

Sadio Mane (Liverpool, Bayern Munich/Senegal)
Sadio Mane (Liverpool, Bayern Munich/Senegal)
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/Belgium)
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/Belgium)
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France)
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France)
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain/France)
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain/France)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Barcelona/Polan
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Barcelona/Poland)
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/Belgium)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/Belgium)

"The Argentinian was part of the discussions to integrate the 30, but the new criteria for the Ballon d'Or were unfavourable to him: disappearance of the criterion of a player's entire career, and new periodicity, modelled on a season of football and no longer over a calendar year, which does not make it possible to integrate the Copa America of July 11, 2021.

"And then, it must be admitted that his first season in Paris was very disappointing both in terms of the visual impression and the statistics."

Messi scored just 11 goals in his debut season at Paris Saint-Germain, but has started the 2022/23 in impressive form, having contributed to four strikes in three matches so far.

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

‘It Broke Me’ – Mofokeng’s Mom Opens Up

May 08, 2025 11:23 AM in Orlando-Pirates

Bafana Striker Humbles Messi In Big Win

May 11, 2025 08:17 AM in Players Abroad

Wydad 'Respond' To Sundowns' Asking Price For Lorch

May 11, 2025 12:31 PM in African Football

Bucs Make Big Riveiro Announcement After Final Defeat

May 12, 2025 09:34 AM in Orlando-Pirates

Nedbank Cup Final Starting XI: Chiefs v Pirates

May 10, 2025 02:06 PM in Starting-XI-Previews

Veteran Pirates Star Makes Case For Player Of The Season

May 12, 2025 06:35 AM in Player-Of-The-Season

Five 2025 Ballon d’Or Frontrunners

May 12, 2025 07:47 AM in Ballon-dOr

Latest: Lucas Suarez's Sundowns Future

May 12, 2025 08:39 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Downs Sharing The Goals: 'I Don't Worry Who Scores'

May 11, 2025 06:55 PM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Ex-Usuthu Star Designs Club's Third Kit

May 09, 2025 09:35 AM in Fan Park