The FIFA Ballon d’Or nominations are out, and unsurprisingly Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) head the 23-man shortlist.
There were a number of shock omissions, however, with Luis Suarez (Barcelona & Uruguay) the biggest name to have been left out of the nominations. According to the EuroFantasyLeague (EFL), he scored 31 league goals for former side Liverpool last season, and would have made you 740 points. But who else was deserving of recognition?
Carlos Tevez (Juventus & Argentina) must have been close in the reckoning, and will be mightily disappointed to have missed out on a nomination off the back of one of his best ever seasons. As reported in EFL, the 30-year-old striker scored 19 league goals, while leading his side to their third consecutive Serie A title. He would have earned you 440 points for the campaign.
The former Manchester City man joined the Old Lady in June 2013, and was the third-highest Serie A goalscorer en route to helping Juve to the league title. He averaged a goal or assist every 100 minutes last season, and has forced his way back into the Argentina national team recently too.
Koke (Atletico Madrid & Spain) won the La Liga title last season, with the midfielder being arguably one of the best playmakers in the world. The 22-year-old scored six goals and made 13 assists for Atletico en route to their league crown, which earned him a regular spot in the Spain national team for this summer’s World Cup. As reported in EFL, Koke earned 410 points in 2013/14.
Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid & Uruguay) is one of many defenders who never really received much recognition for a standout campaign, but the 28-year-old was at the heart of Atletico’s successful title-winning season.
He helped the side to 18 clean sheets in the 34 games he played in, while scoring the decisive equaliser to win the title on the final day. He also scored in the Champions League final as Atletico finished runners-up in Europe, and would have earned you 355 points.
Ballon d’Or nominations are often filled by players who have added to their trophy cabinet during the previous campaign, so for only two Atletico Madrid players to have the made the 23-man shortlist – both of whom now play for Chelsea – is very surprising.
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