France Football have released the 30-man shortlist for the 2019 Ballon d'Or award and it's fair to say that as always, there are some glaring omissions.
Notably Luka Modric, the man who won the coveted prize last year, isn't even in the final 30. But with a number of other big names a tad unfortunate to have missed out, we've put together an XI of players who didn't make the cut.
Ederson:
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The Brazilian shot-stopper kept 20 clean sheets in the Premier League last season as Manchester City won a domestic treble under Pep Guardiola. He made the PFA Team of the Year and was included in the list for the new Yacine Trophy, to be given to the best goalkeeper in the world, but the former Benfica man was overlooked in the Ballon d'Or conversation.
Joshua Kimmich:
The versatile German had another stellar year as Bayern Munich claimed yet another Bundesliga title. He laid on 13 assists for his teammates in the league and yet it still wasn't enough to warrant a place on the shortlist.
Aymeric Laporte:
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Easily Manchester City's best defender, Laporte was integral in the team's record-breaking season and can count himself a little unlucky he didn't make the cut.
Andy Robertson:
23% of the nominees this year are Liverpool players this year but somehow Andy Robertson isn't one of them. The Scottish skipper was arguably the best left-back in the world but there was no place for him on the list.
Fabinho:
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Similarly, Fabinho was not one of the final 30-man despite a hugely impressive first season for European Champions Liverpool.
N'Golo Kante:
Played in a different position, 2018/19 wasn't Kante's best season by any stretch of the imagination but he was still key in Chelsea's Europa League triumph and dominated Arsenal in the final wearing a knee brace.
Jadon Sancho:
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The 19-year old wonderkid is one of the leading contenders for the Kopa Trophy given to the best-performing Under 21 player but 12 goals and 14 assists in the Bundesliga should have seen him nominated for the Ballon d'Or too.
Hakim Ziyech:
A slew of Ajax's heroes of 2018/19 have deservedly received nominations yet Ziyech must be wondering what more he could have done after notching 19 goals and 16 assists in all competitions.
Neymar:
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The Brazilian talisman finished in 12th place a year ago and though a fair bit of last season was disrupted by injury, he still managed 20 goals and nine assists.
Harry Kane:
The England captain was part of the Spurs side that reached the Champions League final, in addition to scoring 24 goals in 40 appearances but last year's tenth best player has been snubbed this time around.
Fabio Quagliarella:
The 36-year old finished top scorer in Serie A last term with 26 goals in 37 games - more than nominee Cristiano Ronaldo - but the well-travelled striker didn't get the plaudits he deserved from France Football.
Who do you think should have made the shortlist? What changes would you make?
Sound off in the comments.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Hakim Ziyech, Football, Neymar, France Football, Ballon d'Or, Andy Robertson, Harry Kane
