Earlier this week the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award was released equipped with the usual suspects.
However, though the winner is likely to be either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, there are ten glaring omissions from the initial shortlist that the organisers are crazy for leaving out.
Below we count down the ten names and rank them from 10-1 in terms of worthiness, highlighting exactly why we think they should be involved.
10. Andrea Pirlo – Juventus/New York City FC
The veteran midfielder played his part in Juventus’ latest Serie A title win by bagging four goals in 20 league appearances, he also played a crucial part in the club’s march to the Champions League final. Now making waves in the USA with New York City FC, showing that at his age, after all he’s won, he still has a desire to win and adapt to a new league.
9. Carlos Tevez – Juventus/Boca Juniors
Another star of last season’s Scuddetto win, the Argentine helped himself to 29 goals across all competitions before departing for his one true love, Boca Juniors. He’s settled back into life at Boca with ease, scoring eight goals in 13 appearances and will no doubt have the Copa Libertadores on his mind.
8. David Alaba – Bayern Munich
Not only did he help Bayern to yet another Bundesliga title, but there is a case for him being the greatest Austrian international since the mid-1950s. Now firmly established in both sides, his skills, pace and vision have marked him out as a very viable threat.
7. Gianluigi Buffon – Juventus
Many felt that the 37-year-old was past his best a few years ago, and though that may be true, he showed last season that he is far from being washed up. Still earning his nickname of Superman as he approaches his 40s and making a real contribution to another title challenge.
6. Cesc Fabregas – Chelsea
He may be struggling for form this season, but last term, upon his return to English football, he chalked up 18 Premier League assists and five goals to help Chelsea lift their first title in five years. Not only that, he also ended the campaign with a League Cup winner’s medal, too.
5. David Silva – Manchester City
With 12 goals and 11 assists in 31 Premier League appearances in 2014-15, the diminutive Spaniard was arguably the standout outfield player in England. Since joining the club from Valencia in 2010, last season was the first time he hit double figures in front of goals.
4. Sergio Ramos – Real Madrid
When it looked like Man United were on the verge of prizing him away from the Santiago Bernabeu the Spanish outfit acted quickly to tie him down to a lucrative new deal. This shows the sheer measure of the man and his value to the club.
3. David de Gea – Manchester United
United’s Player of the Year last season and topped that up by collecting the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award. Real Madrid tried desperately to sign him over the summer, but United held their nerve to keep hold of him and now he’s back in between the sticks like nothing ever happened.
2. Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid
Griezmann managed to overtake Karim Benzema with 24 goals last season, meaning he became the highest ever goalscoring Frenchman in Spanish football. This season he’s already found the net four times and chalked up two assists, meaning it looks as though it’ll be another productive season for the 23-year-old.
1. Mesut Ozil – Arsenal
Alexis Sanchez made the cut, but Ozil didn’t. This could be because injury hampered the majority of his season, but he still managed to churn out an astounding number of assists.
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