Ballon d'Or shortlist announced

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The shortlist for Ballon d'Or 2022  has been announced, and there have been some interesting developments.

FIFA BALLON D'OR

Let's take a look at some of the talking points.

No Messi and Neymar!

Lionel Messi and Neymar have not been included on the 30-man shortlist for the 2022 Ballon d'Or.

The Argentina international has won the most Ballons d'Or in history with seven, but he did not make the list despite scoring 11 goals in 34 matches for Paris Saint-Germain last season.

His team-mate Neymar is also not on the list. He played just 28 times for PSG last season in an injury-hit campaign. Kylian Mbappe does make the list.

Recognition for the Lionesses 

England's Euro 2022 success has been recognised. Millie Bright, Beth Mead and Lucy Bronze have been nominated for the women's Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best female footballer of 2022.

Women's Euro 2022: England win after dramatic final (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)

Who could win it?

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, one of the strong favourites. England players Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are among 10 players nominated for the Kopa Trophy, presented to the best performing player under the age of 21.

Full list of shortlist

2022 Men's Ballon d'Or nominees

  • Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool, England)
  • Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, France)
After so many years playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid's attack, Karim Benzema has become a legend of his own in recent times. Indeed, over the past eight months or so, the France forward has been a living, breathing highlight reel. He played a big part in Real Madrid winning the Champions League last season.

  • Joao Cancelo (Manchester City, Portugal)
  • Casemiro (Real Madrid, Brazil)
  • Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium)
  • Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)
  • Luis Diaz (Liverpool, Colombia)
  • Fabinho (Liverpool, Brazil)
  • Phil Foden (Manchester City, England)
  • Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)

Haaland might not win this one but he's certainly going to be in contention over the next few seasons. He started his City career in great form and is expected to shine this season.

  • Sebastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund, Ivory Coast)
  • Harry Kane (Tottenham, England)
  • Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich, Germany)
  • Rafael Leao (AC Milan, Portugal)
  • Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)
  • Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, Algeria)
  • Mike Maignan (AC Milan, France)
  • Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain, France)
The decision to stay at PSG certainly raised eyebrows across the world. The French forward is considered to be second favourite to win the Ballon d'Or. Going forward, success in the World Cup and Champions League this season could lead to future success. 
  • Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich, Senegal)
  • Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia)

The Croatian midfielder seems to get better with age and he doesn't appear to be going anywhere soon. He could prove to be vital for Real Madrid again.

  • Darwin Nunez (Liverpool, Uruguay)
  • Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig, France)
  • Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Portugal)
  • Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid, Germany)
  • Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
  • Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal)
  • Son Heung-min (Tottenham, South Korea)
  • Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)
  • Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, Brazil)
  • Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus, Serbia)

2022 Women's Ballon d'Or nominees

  • Selma Bacha (Lyon, France)
  • Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
  • Millie Bright (Chelsea, England)
  • Lucy Bronze (Barcelona, England)
  • Kadidiatou Diani (Paris St-Germain, France)
  • Christiane Endler (Lyon, Chile)
  • Ada Hegerberg (Lyon, Norway)
  • Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Paris St-Germain, France)
  • Sam Kerr (Chelsea, Australia)
  • Catarina Macario (Lyon, United States)
  • Beth Mead (Arsenal, England)
  • Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal, Netherlands)
  • Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave, United States)
  • Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg, Germany)
  • Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona, Nigeria)
  • Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg, Germany)
  • Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)
  • Wendie Renard (Lyon, France)
  • Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit, United States)
  • Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona, Sweden)

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