'PR AWARD': Real Madrid Fans Express Outrage Over Exclusion of Rodrygo from Ballon d'Or Shortlist

The world of football has reached a turning point with the Ballon d'Or 2024 candidates revealed by France Football on Wednesday, September 5, 2024. For the first time since 2003, the GOATED pair of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are absent from the nominees. This year's list marks the end of an era and opens a new chapter for the esteemed prize. All eyes are on the upcoming generation, who will strive to replicate the heroics of both Ronaldo and Messi if they look to win the Ballon d’Or.

However, every time France Football announces the nominees' list, some portion of fans are left unhappy with the fact that many players they believe should be part of the top 30 after their hard work and great performance on the pitch with their respective teams as they miss out a chance to be on the world's best players list.

Also Read: Who is Pranav Soorma? Discover the Hero Who Brought Pride to India

Real Madrid fans express disappointment after Rodrygo was left out of the Ballon D'Or 2024 nominees list

The absence of Rodrygo Goes from the Ballon d'Or 2024 shortlist puzzles Real Madrid fans. October will see the prestigious award honouring the best football player in the world, but Rodrygo's name is conspicuously missing from the list of candidates even with his outstanding season with Los Blancos.

Rodrygo was instrumental in guaranteeing Real Madrid's championship triumph by scoring ten goals and dishing five assists throughout 34 La Liga games. In 13 games in the UEFA Champions League, his efforts were equally crucial; he scored five goals and made two assists. He also helped them to win their Supercopa de España with a goal and an assist.

Rodrygo produced several outstanding performances, however he was not featured in the Ballon d'Or nominations. By contrast, fellow Brazilian and Real Madrid colleague Vinícius Júnior was nominated. Apart from him ex-Paris Saint-Germain and new Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, other Real Madrid players on the list include Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos, Antonio Rüdiger, and Dani Carvajal.

List of all the nominees for the Ballon d'Or 2024 award

• Jude Bellingham
• Hakan Calhanoglou
• Kylian Mbappe
• Erling Haaland
• Lamine Yamal
• Dani Carvajal
• Ruben Dias
• Artem Dobvyk
• Phil Foden
• Alejandro Grimaldo
• Mats Hummels
• Harry Kane
• Toni Kroos
• Ademola Lookman
• Emiliano Martinez
• Lautaro Martinez
• Martin Odegaard
• Dani Olmo
• Cole Palmer
• Declan Rice
• Rodri
• Antonio Rudiger
• Bukayo Saka
• William Saliba
• Federico Valverde
• Vinicius Jr.
• Vitinha
• Nico Williams
• Florian Wirtz
• Granit Xhaka

Frontrunners Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodri's exceptional accomplishments in the 2024 Ballon d'Or race sharpen the competition. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are joining the fight and providing complexity to the rivals. Their outstanding performances in the previous season prepared the ground for an engaging struggle. The recipient of the esteemed prize will be announced on October 28, 2024, in France, therefore offering a thrilling ending to this much awaited event.