Do Paris Saint-Germain pair Lionel Messi and Neymar deserve 2022 Ballon d'Or nominations?

The media circus is back for the endless debates about the Ballon d’Or. On Friday, we get the nominations, cutting down the hopes of those who are just outside contention. Right now it seems that the favourite is French, in the form of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

The presence of the 2021/22 Champions League’s top scorer is not in question, but there are doubts over both Lionel Messi and Neymar. While the superstar duo might have rediscovered their best form in the close season, the premier individual awards recognise last season’s work. With this criteria, the jury will struggle to include the two South Americans.

Are last year’s under-performances enough to convince those in charge to exclude them from the running? Ad Messi’s sheer brilliance may be enough to secure him a place Ballon d'OrBallon d'Or 2022 nominees announcement LIVE — who will make shortlist?7 HOURS AGO Messi’s position as a seven-time champion, a record, could see him included regardless of last year. The story of Messi and the France Football award goes back to 2006. The shy smile and slight physique of the teenager finished joint-20th in the voting.

Since then, the Rosario native has been a constant in the list (even on the podium). It was a systematic, indisputable conclusion, until last year — when he won his seventh at the end of an abridged campaign. But can we object to the argument that his greatness demands his inclusion? Last year’s performances did not match anything that came before.

34 matches, 11 goals, 15 assists don’t compare to his usual contributions. Yes, there were some shuddering moments: against Manchester City, the title-winning goal against Lens, but nothing momentous. There were 20 other better players, but sporting logic