These players can count themselves unlucky to have not made the final three…
The Ballon d’Or finalists were released on Monday, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Manuel Neuer all in with a chance of winning the main prize.
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However, who can feel unlucky about not making the final voting? Here are three players who should have made the list…
Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich
The Dutchman had a fine season last year, playing brilliantly in the World Cup and for Bayern Munich. He managed eighteen goals and eleven assists for both the sides, but was overlooked for the biggest individual prize in football. If he had been playing ten years earlier, then he may well have won multiple Ballon d’Ors by now.
Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich
Captain of the Bundesliga champions and the World Cup winners, Lahm would usually be a shoo in for at least the final. The last year has also seen the 31-year-old adapt to a new position in central midfield. He has done so brilliantly, grabbing eight assists for Bayern Munich and two for Germany in the World Cup. Again unlucky to be in a generation with Messi and Ronaldo, but also has the bad luck of being a defensive player. The more conservative players tend to find it hard to win the Ballon d’Or.
Luis Suarez, Liverpool/Barcelona
The Uruguayan wasn’t even included on the twenty three man shortlist announced in November. It is thought that his bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup is the reason why. However, that moment of madness should not take away from his unbelieveable campaign. The 27-year-old managed to win the Golden Boot for most goals in the top European leagues despite not taking penalties, and dragged his national team in to the knockout rounds of the World Cup before his ban for that bite.