After 15 years, the Ballon d'Or shortlist finally excludes the iconic duo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from its final list of nominees. This guarantees us a new winner for the prestigious award. Manchester City and Spain's Rodri is considered a top contender, while other contenders include Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, and PSG's Kylian Mbappe. The list features 10 Premier League players and sees four players who switched clubs since the summer.
Rodri Emerges as Contender for Ballon d'Or After Messi and Ronaldo Exclusion
The Ballon d'Or, the prestigious award given to the best soccer player in the world, has traditionally been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, in a groundbreaking move, neither player was included in the final list of nominees for 2022. This has opened the door for new contenders, including Manchester City's Rodri.
Background
Messi and Ronaldo have been the preeminent players in soccer for over a decade, claiming a combined 12 Ballon d'Or awards. Their absence from this year's shortlist marks a significant shift in the landscape of the award.
Rodri's Candidacy
Rodri, a Spanish midfielder, has emerged as a top contender for the Ballon d'Or. He has played a pivotal role in Manchester City's success in recent years, helping them win three Premier League titles in the past four seasons. Rodri is known for his exceptional passing range, defensive ability, and leadership qualities.
Other Contenders
In addition to Rodri, other contenders for the Ballon d'Or include:
The list of nominees features 10 Premier League players, reflecting the league's growing dominance in world soccer.
FAQs
1. Why were Messi and Ronaldo excluded from the Ballon d'Or shortlist?
Messi and Ronaldo's performances in recent years have been below their usual standards. They have not won any major trophies with their respective clubs or national teams.
2. Who is the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or?
Rodri is considered a strong favorite, but other contenders such as Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema also have a good chance.
3. When will the Ballon d'Or winner be announced?
The winner of the Ballon d'Or will be announced on October 17, 2022.
4. What impact will the exclusion of Messi and Ronaldo have on the Ballon d'Or?
The exclusion of Messi and Ronaldo has opened the door for new players to emerge as the best in the world. It is likely to make the race for the award more competitive and unpredictable.
5. Who are the past winners of the Ballon d'Or?
Messi has won the Ballon d'Or seven times, while Ronaldo has won it five times. Other past winners include Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, and Luka Modrić.
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