Published 12:29 IST, October 22nd 2019
Ballon d'Or 2019: Four players to miss out on this year's shortlist
Here is a list of the four major players to have missed out on making the Ballon d'Or 2019 shortlist. Have a look and see if you think they deserved a mention.
- SportFit
- 3 min read
France Football released a list of 30 nominees to be included in the Ballon d'Or 2019 shortlist. It looks like this year it will be a two-way battle between Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk and Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is also expected to give the duo some competition but is unlikely to win the award. We have compiled a list of four players who should have arguably been included in the Ballon d'Or 2019 shortlist.
Ballon d'Or 2019: France Football release the list for this year's award ceremony
#4 Andy Robertson
The Liverpool left-back was the driving force for Jurgen Klopp's side from the back last season. He registered a total of 13 assists across the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League in 2018/19. Andy Robertson was solid at the back as he helped Liverpool lift the UCL trophy after a long time.
#3 Harry Kane
Tottenham Hotspur and England striker - Harry Kane - has been a pivotal point in attack for the North London outfit ever since bursting onto the Premier League scene five years back. He played a crucial role in Tottenham's run to the UEFA Champions League final last season. Harry Kane scored 22 goals and registered five assists for Spurs and deserved a mention in the Ballon d'Or 2019 shortlist.
#2 Luis Suarez
32-year old Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez didn't have the greatest season for Barcelona last year. However, the Barcelona forward still managed to score 22 goals and record 9 assists over the 2018/19 season. Should he have also been included in the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist?
#1 Neymar
PSG star Neymar was embroiled in a transfer tug-of-war between the Parisians and former employers Barcelona in the recent summer transfer window. Despite suffering from injuries throughout the 2018/19 season, Brazil's Neymar scored 20 goals and assisted a further nine goals for PSG. In just 11 appearances this season, Neymar has already notched up nine goals and two assists. Should he have been part of the 30-man Ballon d'Or 2019 shortlist?
Updated 16:31 IST, October 22nd 2019