The reason why Cristiano Ronaldo is nominated for Ballon d'Or and Messi is not

The announcement of the latest nominees for the 2022 Ballon d'Or confirmed it: Leo Messi is left out of contention for the first time since 2006 for an award he has won seven times. He is not, for France Football, among the 30 best players of last season and will not compete to lift his eighth award at the gala to be held in October.

The decision that has raised questions and has 'forced' L'Équipe to give explanations as to why the Argentine has been left out of such an extensive list while his rival of the last decade and a half, Cristiano Ronaldo, did manage to get his name on the shortlist. They have their response in an article.

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“A sacrilege? An event, if anything”, says L'Équipe about PSG’s superstar absence, although it immediately lists the reasons and stats that have left out the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, "The modification of the Ballon d'Or criteria" is the first reason put forward by the French media, which recalls that in the period of time that has been judged to make the list Leo's performance has not been as expected.

They consider that his first year in Paris was not good, listing the tension with Pochettino and his poor form on his debut season as “his first year in Paris is marked by disappointment". Six goals in Ligue 1, a harsh criticism of his performance and a key moment: the elimination in the Champions League round of 16 at the hands of Real Madrid. That was the end of many of the Parisians' hopes and also Messi’s.

Cristiano is on the list, thanks to his numbers.

For L'Équipe, there are several reasons. He became the all-time top scorer at international level, scored six goals in the Champions League group stage to qualify Manchester United to the round of 16 and finished the season with a tally of 32 goals in 49 games in all competitions. More than enough to keep him at the top of the game.