As you will no doubt have seen by now, the final 30 of this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees have been released, and it’s fair to say there are more than a few glaring absentees.
Big names at Premier League giants Manchester City, United and Liverpool may feel aggrieved not to have made it on, as will one player who was instrumental in Real Madrid winning a third successive Champions League final last season.
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Of course, ultimately it doesn’t matter a huge amount as we all know that there are, at the very most, four players who could win the award, with no one other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi picking it up since all the way back in 2007.
It may be a little more open this year, but it’s still pretty baffling that these ten players – in no particular order – aren’t even in the running…
David de Gea
Okay, he might not have won a lot recently and he had an uncharacteristically bad World Cup, but come on now.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has been consistently outstanding in the Premier League for the last five years now, and it’s hard to argue he’s not the finest player in the world in his position.
We may be a long way away from a goalie ever winning the Ballon d’Or, but it’s frankly insulting that De Gea isn’t even in the top 30 players in the world.
David Silva
One of the most important members of Manchester City’s all-conquering, record-breaking and generally swashbuckling Premier League winners last season, and yet there’s somehow no place for David Silva.
The Spaniard has been a joy to watch for a long time now and had arguably one of his finest seasons in a City shirt last term, even putting aside personal problems away from the pitch to perform at an incredibly high standard.
Raheem Sterling
Again, he’s not a player who’s ever going to win the thing, but what’s Raheem Sterling done to not even make the final 30?
The England international was another big-game player for City last season, showing big improvement under the expert guidance of Pep Guardiola and netting a career-high 23 goals in all competitions to guide the club to the title.
James Milner
Don’t laugh! James Milner has been absolutely superb for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, topping the Champions League for assists last season.
The 32-year-old has continued his strong form this season and without him the Reds would not have come anywhere close the Champions League final last season, nor would they be being talked about as title contenders this term.
While no one would argue Milner’s going to win the thing, he deserves far more recognition for what has been a truly stunning 2018 for the midfielder.
Ciro Immobile
41 goals in 47 games in all competitions for Lazio last season, but he’s somehow overlooked when someone like Karim Benzema (12 goals in the same number of games for Real Madrid [okay yes one of those was in their Champions League final victory, but still]) gets the nod.
The Italian has been in phenomenal form and can feel very hard done by not to be in the running.
Robert Lewandowski
One of the best strikers on the planet for a long time, and with another Bundesliga title under his belt – why no place for Robert Lewandowski?
Granted, the Poland international perhaps didn’t do enough on the biggest stages, with a lack of real impact for Champions League under-achievers Bayern in Europe, and with a disastrous World Cup campaign for his country.
Still, to say he’s not been in the top 30 players in the world this year is a pretty bold claim.
Toni Kroos
A third Champions League final win in a row, running the show as usual in midfield for Real Madrid, what’s with the snub for Toni Kroos?
The Germany international was of course part of his country’s disastrous World Cup campaign, but it’s very harsh to leave him out just because of that.
Casemiro
Another vital cog in that Real Madrid team that bossed it in Europe once again, Casemiro remains a hugely underrated talent on the biggest stage.
If Benzema can get in to the Ballon d’Or final 30 on the basis of playing in that Madrid side, how can the vital midfield duo of Casemiro and Kroos possibly be overlooked?
Christian Eriksen
Is it really such a stretch to say Christian Eriksen can feel a bit hard done by? Like others on this list, the Tottenham playmaker is definitely not someone who’s going to be in contention to win the prize, but it seems weird that he can’t even get a nomination.
The Dane has been a creative force for Spurs in the Premier League and Champions League, showing himself to be one of the very finest in the world in his position.
In fairness, he might have to win something before getting a look-in, but he’s done about as much as anyone in this Tottenham side to get them as far as they have.
Sergio Busquets
Surely the best player in the world at what he does? And with another La Liga title to his name – but there’s no place for Sergio Busquets.
One can only assume again that the World Cup is influencing things here, with Spain another big name to have a poor showing at this summer’s tournament in Russia.