'What is the Ballon d’Or criteria?!': Barcelona Legend And World Cup Winner Questions Rodrygo's Snub

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.

Real Madrid and Brazil’s flash Rodrygo has been one of the biggest names that has been snubbed from the 30 nominees list.  Fans were shocked and unhappy. Even Neymar posted about his snub on the story, saying that Rodrygo deserved to be nominated and should be in the top 5 players in the world. 

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Rivaldo reacts to Rodrygo’s Ballon d’Or nominees snub 

Barcelona legend Rivaldo has deemed it a mistake when Real Madrid's Rodrygo was left off the Ballon d'Or shortlist. There will be a new Ballon d'Or winner this year; neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi makes the list of candidates.

Considered strong prospects among the nominees are Manchester City 's Rodri and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. But many supporters and experts have been shocked by Rodrygo's exclusion from the shortlist, which fuels a lot of discussion.

With Real Madrid, Rodrygo had an amazing season scoring 17 goals and dishing nine assists over 51 games. His efforts were crucial in getting the team the LA Liga, Champions League, and Supercopa de España.

Usually, the Ballon d'Or is given to a player depending on their club and international performance during the previous year. Rodrygo's absence from the shortlist has caused great sadness and uncertainty given his vital part in Real Madrid's performance last season.

In recent remarks published by Madrid Xtra, Rivaldo voiced his confusion on the reason his fellow Brazilian was omitted off the list.

“What is the Ballon d’Or criteria if someone like Rodrygo is not nominated? It is difficult to understand this. Rodrygo is a potential Ballon d’Or. It is injustice that he is not nominated,” 

October 28 is the award ceremony, set for the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. Announcements of the 30-player shortlist, which comprises some of the best football players in the world.