France Football have given their reasons for not including defending champion Lionel Messi on this year's Ballon d'Or shortlist, which was revealed on Friday.
Messi and team-mate Neymar were the big names to miss out on the 30-man list of nominees with the Argentine's omission easily the biggest talking point from the ceremony.
Messi scored just 11 goals in what was an extremely underwhelming debut campaign in Paris, his worst return since he last missed out on the Ballon d'Or shortlist in 2005.
Many fans were curious about Messi's omission and France Football, who've organised the award since 1956, were keen to clarify the decision via a Q&A on L'Equipe's website. Emmanuel Bojan, a journalist for the magazine, was responsible for answering the queries.
'Inevitably, Lionel Messi, with his 15 appearances in a row since 2006, his seven Ballon d'Or victories, his title holder status, weighs very heavily when it comes to the final choice,' Bojan explained when asked about the seven-time winner's snub.
'The Argentinian was part of the discussions to integrate the 30, but the new criteria for the Ballon d'Or were unfavorable to him: disappearance of the criterion of a player's entire career, and new periodicity, modeled on a season of football and no longer over a calendar year, which does not make it possible to integrate the Copa America of July 11, 2021.
'And then, it must be admitted that his first season in Paris was very disappointing both in terms of the visual impression and the statistics.'
But Ronaldo's inclusion was not welcomed by everyone. 'The statistics say the opposite,' said Bojan when probed on the decision.
'Ronaldo became the top scorer in national football this season [117 goals]. He was extremely decisive in the Champions League group stage with four off-the-cuff goals that gave Man Utd seven points.
'In the Premier League, he has 18 goals including two hat-tricks. In total, 32 goals in 49 matches is not as many as in his best seasons but enough to be among the 30 best players in the world.'
Diobeimnu
545
I'm not going to be biased but Ronaldo absolutely deserves to be there. Messi came no where near the 100 best players of last season. Let's forget Big names, Messi didn't perform as much as even Giroud that is not even recognised from last season
JoyNg
369
Real Madrid and football legend Cristiano Ronaldo gets his 18th consecutive Ballon d'Or nomination.ππ ........ Cristiano was nominated in 2004 when he was only 19 and he's still nominated at the age of 37. His longevity is just insane.ππͺππ
JoyNg
233
Leo Messi and Neymar Jr. have been rightfully excluded from the Ballon dβOr nomination this year.ππ₯π₯ ...... Cristiano Ronaldo was right all alongπͺπππ
YoungMakito10
181
after robbing Lewandowski of it you still want him to make short list?
fitacdkn
81
I don't understand is now football about just scoring goals,if someone score less but creat chances, assist, the one who finish will be considered as most perform I don't understand football anymore, look at players like kaka,rivaldo, Ronaldinho,zidane ,they are not deadlogoal scores but what they do on the pitch for the team is what makes everyone consider dem to be the best not only the goals, harry Kane has scored 50 goals a season not even he made top 3 but if it was Ronaldo he deserves the ballondor
AsadNoori
73
wegoagain07
57
Hey France football, βyou did it rightβ no need for explanations π
JoyNg
45
Bro Even Luis Diaz made it to Top 30πππ Don't laugh Broπ