This yearâs Ballon dâOr shortlists have been revealed and, as ever, plenty of world-class players have been snubbed of a nomination. The Ballon dâOr trophies are annual football awards that seek to honour the best player in the world in both menâs and womenâs football. In recent years, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the menâs prize, while the womenâs award is still in its infancy. Yet, while Ronaldo did make the shortlist this year, there is no room for seven-time Ballon dâOr winner Messi.As well as Messi, there were a number of other stars who enjoyed stellar seasons that have failed to be recognised by France Football. Therefore, we at GiveMeSport have taken it upon ourselves to list the 15 biggest snubs from across the menâs and womenâs categories. Itâs worth noting this list is purely subjective and there may well be other players who could easily have earned a nomination. But anyway, check out our list of players ignored for this yearâs awards:
Lionel Messi - PSG/Argentina
While Messi may be past his prime, heâs still an absolutely lethal striker and his exclusion is criminal.
The PSG star finished as the top assister in Ligue 1 last year and formed a formidable partnership with French forward Kylian Mbappe.
He may well have won seven Ballon dâOrâs already, but itâs still unfair to snub him from this shortlist.Â
Leah Williamson - Arsenal/England
Given the Arsenal star captained England to their first ever major silverware at Euro 2022 last month, youâd think she wouldâve done enough to earn a nomination.
Williamson was part of a defence that conceded just two goals all tournament and her highlights from the final are seriously impressive.Â
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Neymar - PSG/Brazil
The Brazilian star was injured for part of the season, but he still managed 19 goal contributions in 22 matches.Â
Surely, thereâs no denying heâs still among the best 30 players on the planet?
Keira Walsh - Man City/England
If winning Player of the Match in a major tournament final doesnât get you a Ballon dâOr nomination, weâre not sure what will do?
Walsh was a commanding presence for England throughout the Euros and her exclusion from the shortlist has not gone down well with some of her teammates.
âNo Keira Walsh, I donât understand,â tweeted Man City and England goalkeeper, Ellie Roebuck.Â
Rodri - Man City/ Spain
Given Rodri is so often compared with Fabinho, it seems desperately unfair that one is nominated and not the other.
Liverpoolâs holding-midfielder was deservedly included, but somehow, Man Cityâs rock in the centre of the park has been left out.Â
Lina Magull - Bayern Munich/Germany
Two German players, Lena Oberdorf and Alexandra Popp, were both nominated for the womenâs award.
Yet, Magull arguably played just as key a role for Germany at Euro 2022 ââ scoring the equaliser in the final and putting in a near faultless performance against Denmark.Â
Perhaps it was her domestic form for Bayern which counted against her in the end, but donât be surprised to see the 27-year-old on the shortlist next time around.Â
Thiago - Liverpool/Spain
Thiago is another who was injured for part of last season, but Liverpool were a far better side whenever the Spaniard played.Â
There are few players in world football with a better passing range than the 31-year-old and weâre struggling to work out how his name didnât end up on the shortlist.Â
Caroline Graham-Hansen - Barcelona/Norway
Many were outraged when the Barcelona winger was snubbed of a nomination last year and this year fans are even more perplexed by her exclusion.Â
The Norway star is widely considered one of the best wingers in the world and played a starring role in Barcaâs dominant domestic season.Â
Thomas Muller - Bayern Munich/ Germany
Though it was Lewandowski who gained most of the plaudits last year, Muller was a vital part of Bayernâs side and finished as the top assister in the Bundesliga.
The German star continues to be massively underappreciated, despite delivering consistently world-class performances.Â
Sophia Smith - Portland Thorns/USA
Smith was the number one overall pick in the 2020 NWSL draft and was outstanding for the Portland Thorns last season.
The 22-year-old already has more than 20 appearances for the US Womenâs National Side and looks to be a worthy successor to the likes of Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.