Ballon d’Or Chaos: Messi and Ronaldo Ousted from ShortlistBallon d’Or Chaos: Messi and Ronaldo Ousted from Shortlist In an unprecedented turn of events, the footballing world has been rocked by the shock exclusion of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the shortlist for the 2022 Ballon d’Or award. The Ballon d’Or, awarded to the best male footballer of the year, has been dominated by Messi and Ronaldo for over a decade, with each player winning seven times. However, this year, both players have fallen short of the cut, sending shockwaves through the sport. Messi, who had won the award for the past seven years, has endured a difficult season at Paris Saint-Germain, while Ronaldo has struggled to find top form for Manchester United. The exclusion of Messi and Ronaldo has sparked outrage among fans and pundits alike. Many believe that the absence of these two iconic figures diminishes the prestige of the award. “It’s a disgrace,” said former England international Gary Neville. “Messi and Ronaldo are the two greatest players of all time. To exclude them from the shortlist is a joke.” Other critics have questioned the criteria for selecting the shortlist. They argue that goals scored and team success should be given more weight than individual performances. “The Ballon d’Or is supposed to reward the best player in the world,” said former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. “But it seems like it’s become more about marketing and popularity.” The chaos surrounding the Ballon d’Or shortlist has raised questions about the future of the award. With Messi and Ronaldo no longer the dominant forces they once were, it remains to be seen who will step up to claim football’s most prestigious individual prize. For now, the exclusion of Messi and Ronaldo leaves a void in the Ballon d’Or race, and the outcome of the award is more uncertain than ever before.
