The Brazilian star was shocked to learn that a former teammate of his was not named on the 30-man Ballon D’Or shortlist despite impressive season.
The 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or was announced on Wednesday, recognising the top performers in world soccer over the last 12 months. Real Madrid duo Vinicius Júnior and Jude Bellingham are in contention for the top prize, as is Spanish midfielder Rodri.
But for all the illustrious names on the shortlist there are a few very notable absences. For the first time since 2003 the top 30 features neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo, two players who won 13 of the last 15 Ballon d’Or.
Another surprising omission was Brazilian forward Rodrygo Goes, who helped Real Madrid to a double of LaLiga and Champions League in 2023/24. Rodryo’s compatriot Neymar Jr. took to social media to express his support.
Alongside a photo of Rodrygo representing the national team, Neymar wrote: ‘Minimum top five in the world!’
Will Neymar play for Brazil again?
Neymar was quick to offer support for his teammate and he was not the only one on social media to express shock that Rodrygo was not named in the top 30. Having played alongside him many times with the national team, Neymar is fully aware of Rodrygo’s talent.
But it is not yet clear whether the two will share a locker room for Brazil again. Neymar has not played in 11 months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in a World Cup qualifier last October. He sustained the injury weeks after making his debut for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal and has played just a handful of games since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023.
In recent weeks Neymar has returned to training with the Saudi side and is thought to be nearing full fitness.
But after such a long time out it remains to be seen whether Neymar will manage to get himself back to national team contention, with new head coach Dorival Junior favouring a faster, more direct style of play. Neymar will hope that his stellar record with the national team will help to persuade the new boss that he still has something to offer alongside a new generation of stars.
Honabcdkmo
1
Top. 5. Best. Players. In. The. World 🗺
NanbalRaphael
1
If I'm not mistaken it was 2015
Don't be uncertain, please be sure about the year period
suecikmopy
0
vini Junior or belingham[100perc
linlin123
0
messi will win it again 😂😂😂😂😂
classiqemogi
0
Rodrigo is a baby striker. how can you be a point striker for the biggest club team in the world and you can't even score 20 Goal a season and you want to be be part of Balon d'or top ten 8 or what ever?
overrated Yamal can't even score 15🤣🤣, foolish paincelona fans
Kedanruz
1
Rodrigo didn't start much games last season for Madrid and Brazil didn't help him as well
not true he literally started all our games him and vini but he can't finish he throws away too much goals
Kedanruz
0
rodrygo can't finish to save his life. he doesn't deserve to be there
nisadnty
0
Rodrigo is a baby striker. how can you be a point striker for the biggest club team in the world and you can't even score 20 Goal a season and you want to be be part of Balon d'or top ten 8 or what ever?
savage reply
Eddycure09
1
Ask again
lol.
Eddycure09
1
When was that bro?
If I'm not mistaken it was 2015
ALEXANDERSALEKXZ10
0
You're not replying again?
yes
iamadiehardmadridfan
0
Typical Madrid fan😂😂😂😂....ran when the conversation became hot
You're not replying again?
iamadiehardmadridfan
0
I just want you to know... whether you accept it or not . Any day Any time.... Yamal will Bench Rodrigo and Even give him seat belt on the bench.... Mtcheeew
You said Lamine is better is better than Rodrygo, right?
iamadiehardmadridfan
0
Typical Madrid fan😂😂😂😂....ran when the conversation became hot
Let's argue? I just hope you won't be commenting rubbish
ALEXANDERSALEKXZ10
1
I won't argue with you because our previous arguments proved your level of understanding is very low.
I just want you to know... whether you accept it or not . Any day Any time.... Yamal will Bench Rodrigo and Even give him seat belt on the bench.... Mtcheeew
ALEXANDERSALEKXZ10
0
I won't argue with you because our previous arguments proved your level of understanding is very low.
Typical Madrid fan😂😂😂😂....ran when the conversation became hot
Noodlmnuyz
1
Rodrigo didn't start much games last season for Madrid and Brazil didn't help him as well
He participated in more matches than vini and bellingham
Blaqpablo
0
Rodrigo didn't start much games last season for Madrid and Brazil didn't help him as well
Yatadlopsz
1
Yes Neymar is write Rodrigo is d hard soul for real Madrid come backs at he shld make the top 5 candidate 4 that individual honour nt forgetin back 2 back goals against pape city the biased is 2 open uefa be fair
Sumdilmsz
1
what statistics does rodrogo has as individual statistics both in laliga n champion league and copa America
fix your grammar before commenting on something you don't understand
Sumdilmsz
1
Rodrigo is a baby striker. how can you be a point striker for the biggest club team in the world and you can't even score 20 Goal a season and you want to be be part of Balon d'or top ten 8 or what ever?
keep quiet if you don't understand what your brain cooks
hurlla
1
Rodrigo is a baby striker. how can you be a point striker for the biggest club team in the world and you can't even score 20 Goal a season and you want to be be part of Balon d'or top ten 8 or what ever?
did yamal score 20 goals last season ask yourself
Ernestkunda5
2
rodrygo deserved to be nominated in that list
Commander54
0
there's more to life than football.... Who has balloon d'or ever made rich? It's just an award for fame and nothing else
Is Neymar richer than Messi and Ronaldo? Fame makes people more expensive in the market
Kindemorst
0
Rodrigo is a baby striker. how can you be a point striker for the biggest club team in the world and you can't even score 20 Goal a season and you want to be be part of Balon d'or top ten 8 or what ever?
Ribkrstuy
1
Bellingham is the only English player should bo on that list
Habcimprt
1
When was that bro?
Ask again
GaddafiJamal
0
If not that FIFA France football hates Real Madrid just look at this. Even Yamal is nominated but a player like Rodrygo isn't 🤦
You Can Do Your Own Call-Up & Put Rodrygo In There & Drop Yamal😭😭😂💔🤷♂️
Satacklosz
1
but why you don't sign Trossard
GopsAmeshu
0
Brazil team with and without Ney is different. Ney is the heart of Brazil Team presently.
Juhciklrz
0
Lust for money has cost Neymar the ballon dor. Leaving Barca was his greatest mistake because no PSG player has won the ballon dor in the recent past
there's more to life than football.... Who has balloon d'or ever made rich? It's just an award for fame and nothing else
Juhciklrz
0
If not that FIFA France football hates Real Madrid just look at this. Even Yamal is nominated but a player like Rodrygo isn't 🤦
you should be talking about useless Rudigar
ziyailmrsu
0
neymar was far better than useless Ronaldo
after reading this f**king kids comment I felt like volleyball coach giving training to football players
AFerusmc6546
1
When was that bro?
Are u minding chunado fans dey crying
sinacdkyz
0
neymar was far better than useless Ronaldo
obviously a psg fan is the one talking from his back passage (i learned it somewhere)
NanbalRaphael
1
For me, there was a time Neymar was the true winner of the Ballon dor but they chose to give it to someone else.
When was that bro?
Tawablnopt
6
Rodrygo and Musiala should be part of 30 nominees
Eddycure09
6
For me, there was a time Neymar was the true winner of the Ballon dor but they chose to give it to someone else.
Strength1999
2
Rodrygo really deserves to be at least top 8.He just didn't get enough limelight although he was really good last season.
fiwbinprs
0
what statistics does rodrogo has as individual statistics both in laliga n champion league and copa America
17 goals , 9 assist
iamadiehardmadridfan
1
😂😂😂😂... Bro pls tell me you didn't just compare Yamal to Rodrigo . the same Rodrigo that couldn't bench a Useless Raphinha in Brazil last season
I won't argue with you because our previous arguments proved your level of understanding is very low.
ALEXANDERSALEKXZ10
0
If not that FIFA France football hates Real Madrid just look at this. Even Yamal is nominated but a player like Rodrygo isn't 🤦
😂😂😂😂... Bro pls tell me you didn't just compare Yamal to Rodrigo . the same Rodrigo that couldn't bench a Useless Raphinha in Brazil last season
Rencloprty
2
general my boss Neymar
wizluvawak4u
4
neymar is saying the truth if you watch the guy contribution to Madrid atleast he deserve to be names without hate neymar see the truth and don't forget neymar is not former Madrid player but i know people will said he saying so because they are from the same country, but we should not forget also that later we will said the do mistake in not given to this player ballon d or before, then we forget they might do the same mistake also and which this can be the same mistake too, I love evry player irrespective where you are playing if you are good then i will say you are good no sentiments i rest my case.
Tecacelnos
0
If not that FIFA France football hates Real Madrid just look at this. Even Yamal is nominated but a player like Rodrygo isn't 🤦
are you out of your mind, 4 Madrid players have been included on the list. or you wanted all Madrid players to be included. you are a joke
Ronaldobeastgoat
0
neymar was far better than useless Ronaldo
🤣🤣🤣🤣this kid can't be fr 🤣🤣
wizluvawak4u
0
But una Dey always talk say na cr7 Dey hinder di maria bale and Benz from winning ballon dor na why is Neymar own different in Barca definitely it was Messi dat hindered his chances of winning ballon dor right
hahahahahaha i wonder maybe is messi
FavTuse
0
neymar was far better than useless Ronaldo
Smh…
wizluvawak4u
1
neymar was far better than useless Ronaldo
someone like you can never see peace even if cr7 is retire your hate is undeniable if so who denied neymar ballon d' or?
lanblmnpt
5
neymar was far better than useless Ronaldo