Following the release of the 30-man nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, many have been shocked by the absence of certain players.
The list was released on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, and it included several star names, who were instrumental to the success of their side in the previous season.
However, there were some eyebrows raised over the inclusion of certain names in the Ballon d’Or nominees list.
The inclusion of these players certainly resulted in the absence of certain players, and we will be reeling them out to you.
10) Toni Kroos – Real Madrid
The German footballer wasn’t included in the list, and this was shocking to many, given his impressive performance for Real Madrid last term.
Kroos made 52 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 2 goals and providing 6 assists across all competitions.
The 33-year-old was also not included on the list of 30 finalists for the Ballon d’Or for 2022.
9) Rodrygo Goes – Real Madrid/Brazil
Despite his impressive output for Real Madrid in the 2022/23 season, France Football did not include him in the list.
Rodrygo scored 19 goals and provided 11 assists in 57 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s side last term, but that wasn’t enough to afford him a place in the list.
The 22-year-old has carved a niche for himself on the right side of the wings for Real Madrid, but it is also shocking that he didn’t make the cut.
8) Frankie De Jong – Barcelona/The Netherlands
De Jong didn’t make the 30-men finalists for the Ballon d’Or despite his remarkable 2022/23 campaign with Barcelona.
The 26-year-old made 43 appearances for the Catalan giants last season, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists across all competitions.
7) Rafael Leao – AC Milan/Portugal
Leao was brilliant for Rossoneri in the 2022/23 season, as he eschewed his quality on the flanks for the club.
The 24-year-old also had an impressive World Cup outing with Portugal, before crashing out in the quarter-final stage.
Rafael Leao scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in 48 appearances for AC Milan last season.
He also scored 2 goals and provided no assists in 5 games at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
6) Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – Barcelona/Germany
The 31-year-old had a remarkable 2022/23 season for Barcelona, helping the club win the La Liga and Supercopa de Espana.
Ter Stegen made 50 appearances for the Blaugrana side last term, and he kept a remarkable 26 league clean sheets in 38 appearances for Xavi Hernandez’s side.
However, in spite of his contributions to Barcelona, he was also snubbed by France Football on their shortlist.
5) Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr/Portugal
Ronaldo has missed out on a nomination for the Ballon d’Or for the second successive year since 2003.
Possibly his topsy-turvy 2022/23 season was the reason for his absence.
The 38-year-old picked up the pieces at Al Nassr, but he scored 17 goals and provided 4 assists in 34 appearances last season.
4) Jack Grealish – Manchester City/England
Despite helping the Citizens win the treble – Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup, Grealish was snubbed from the 30-man finalists released by France Football.
The 27-year-old is a mainstay in the first eleven of Manchester City, and he made 50 appearances last season, scoring 5 goals and providing 11 assists.
3) Neymar – Paris Saint Germain/Brazil
The Brazilian was snubbed from the 30-men list for the Ballon d’Or, and it didn’t come as a surprise to many.
The 31-year-old made 29 appearances for Paris Saint Germain in the 2022/23 season, scoring 18 goals and providing 17 assists in all competitions.
Neymar won the Ligue 1 and the Trophée des Champions with the Parisians, in a season plagued by injuries.
He was at a point in his career tipped to become the next greatest footballer, unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to attain that height.
The former Barcelona forward currently plys his trade in Saudi Arabia, having joined Al Hilal from Paris Saint Germain on August 15, 2023.
2) Marcus Rashford – Manchester United/England
Rashford was monstrous in attack for the Red Devils in the 2022/23 season, helping the club win the Carabao Cup, and qualify for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
However, his efforts were snubbed by France Football, as they turned a blind eye to his 41-goal contribution for Manchester United last season.
The 25-year-old scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in 56 appearances for the Old Trafford club last season.
He also scored 3 goals in 5 appearances for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
1) John Stones – Manchester City/England
John Stones was the chief controller in midfield and defense for Manchester City last season, as Pep Guardiola effectively utilized the Englishman to sterilize play.
Stones was lauded for his remarkable improvements last season, and he played an integral role in the Citizens winning the treble – Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
The 29-year-old scored 3 goals and provided 3 assists in 34 appearances for Manchester City last season.
