Undeservedly out of Ballon d’Or contention / Image via sportskeeda.com
FIFA have last week announced the three-man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d’Or with Barcelona teammates Leo Messi and Neymar being joined by Cristiano Ronaldo in the chase for the most prestigious individual football trophy.
Despite being level on goals with his teammate Neymar, Suarez’s 41 goals this year, and 40 until the announcement day, haven’t been enough for FIFA to take the Uruguayan into consideration thus once again putting a shadow on the Golden Ball award.
Celebrating team success appears not to be the key focus point anymore as Cristian Ronaldo and Messi seem to be subscribed to the podium over the last seven years. More or less deservedly during that period of time, both Barcelona star and Real Madrid key man were guaranteed to be in contention for the trophy.
The year of 2015 has indeed put Luis Suarez to prominence alongside the two thirds of the world’s best attacking force over the course of 12 months that are behind us.
With 126 goals between MSN in the calendar year, more than entire teams’ scoring exploits, Messi, Neymar and Suarez have formed the incredible trident built upon friendship and modesty of the three pals.
“Leo and Luis are great friends, I hope to play with them for a long time. There are no egos between us”, revealed Neymar.
European and Spanish champions have gotten the recognition for their achievements in 2015 through the double nomination, but FIFA have indeed made a blatant mistake in Suarez’s omission.
The Uruguay forward has had a magnificent year, but his place on the podium has still been overtaken by a footballer who won nothing in 2015. It just seems that scoring the decisive goal in the Champions League final, scoring the winning goal in last year’s El Clasico that decided the La Liga title were simply not enough for FIFA.
Bureaucracy was also blind for the brace in the phenomenal 4-0 El Clasico win at Bernabeu, which put Barcelona firmly in frame for this year’s Spanish title as well.
The accomplishments listed above were simply not enough for the player with somewhat tarnished reputation to be put under the limelight of the glorious Ballon d’Or stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals have nominated the Portuguese for the award, there is no doubt on it. Real Madrid forward did score more goals than any other player in domestic football last season, but his club did not win the league.
As the award celebrates the success of football being a team sport, FIFA made a clear mistake.
Ronaldo’s inclusion, much like Leo Messi’s in the last year’s race to the trophy was conveniently made to maintain the cosmic balance between the two worlds – Messi’s on one side and Ronaldo’s on the other.
The selling aspects to the story have been fulfilled, the marketing side of having two world’s best again one against the other is what people want to see. No one is interested in seeing another Fabio Cannavaro lifting the trophy anymore, the sponsors or the the fans.
Casting a glance back in time, the host of Ballon d’Or winners have been awarded for their World Cup and team successes. The emergence of the Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry has shed a different light upon the whole race.
Neymar is a crack in the mould.
His maiden nomination can be regarded as a glimpse of the times to come. The talented Brazilian has been long dubbed the next big thing, Ballon d’Or is his to grab if he keeps performing at the highest level.
As for the bad boy Suarez, Ballon d’Or remains a dream for Barcelona striker. Being once again under the spotlight following his on-pitch shenanigans against Valencia’s Aymen Abdennour on Saturday at Mestalla, when the pair clashed on numerous occasions, Uruguay international is renowned for having a load of luggage carrying behind him, which was once again too difficult for FIFA to swallow against their pride.
Could it be that FIFA are still holding a grudge against former president of Uruguay Jose Mujica who called them a ‘band of old bastards’ after FIFA banned Luis Suarez from participating in all sporting events and facilities for long four months following the biting of Giorgio Chiellini?
One is certain, Luis Suarez will not break his head over it.
“I am not angry about not being among the top three. I am aware of my potential. I am very happy to be able to help my team and to have two teammates among the finalists”, Suarez said following the FIFA announcement.
Ballon d’Or omission is likely to make him even better, stronger and more determined to go from strength to strength.
Suarez scored a goal for his side in the 1-1 draw against Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday, taking his tally to 13 goals this season, once again proving that nothing will stay on his way to success and recognition which he doesn’t need a Golden Ball for.
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