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On 8th October 2021, the preliminary shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or was announced. Out of the 30 players deemed worthy enough to be in contention for the prestigious award, fans were quick to spot a number of debutants. While several candidates have already experienced the frenzy of getting nominated for the Ballon d'Or, 2021 has seen the introduction of numerous new faces on the shortlist.
The contrasting background of this year's Ballon d'Or nominees
To appear on the preliminary shortlist for such a fabled award is an achievement of its own. However, for the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and more, making the 30-man Ballon d'Or list is pretty much routine. Ronaldo and Messi have also made it up to the podium 12 times apiece.
Meanwhile, a hoard of future superstars announced the beginning of a new era by making their way into the 30-man shortlist of the Ballon d'Or ahead of certain veterans. Norwegian prodigy Erling Haaland will be making his Ballon d'Or debut this year, while midfield sensations Mason Mount and Pedri have also received their first nods this term. Other prominent newcomers in the Ballon d'Or race include Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes and the underdog to take home the prize, Jorginho.
Despite the initial star-studded nominations containing several deserving names, a certain set of players were unfortunate enough to be axed from the Ballon d'Or shortlist. Even though the players in question had a stellar 2021, they were inexplicably left out in the editing room. On that note, let's take a look at the greatest XI (4-2-3-1) to miss out on this year's Ballon d'Or:
Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
Undoubtedly the most bizarre exclusion, Edouard Mendy was extremely unlucky to have missed out on a Ballon d'Or nomination. Several professionals have voiced their opinion on the snub, with the likes of Thiago Silva and Sadio Mane coming to his support.
The Senegal international impressed massively in his debut campaign with Chelsea, playing a crucial part in the Blues' unlikely Champions League win. Conceding a mere 30 goals while keeping 25 clean sheets across all competitions should've been enough to assure his maiden Ballon d'Or appearance.
Right-back: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Another potential candidate for the 2021 Ballon d'Or, Achraf Hakimi, also missed out on the 30-man shortlist. The Moroccan had a sensational season with Inter, contributing 17 goals in the Nerazzurri's first title win in 11 years last term.
His Ballon d'Or snub this year is all the more shocking when you consider the names that have been nominated. While Cesar Azpilicueta had a 2021 to remember, Hakimi was the better player of the calendar year overall.
Centre-back: Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
PSG's Marquinhos has been consistently performing at the highest level for some time now. In an ever-changing unstable backline, the Brazilian superstar has been the only reliable option for the Parisians.
Possessing a rare mixture of talent and consistency, Marquinhos should've made the preliminary shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d'Or. However, PSG's unwavering form of the 2020-21 season robbed him of a much-deserved nomination.
Centre-back: Milan Skriniar (Inter)
Despite having had a formidable 2020-21 season, Milan Skriniar misses out on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, just like his former teammate Achraf Hakimi. The Slovakian was a pivotal cog in Inter's title-winning team, starting 31 Serie A matches last term.
An underrated centre-half, Skriniar's leadership skills and remarkable tackling abilities were apparently not up to the Ballon d'Or mark. It is indeed a crazy omission considering Inter conceded just 35 goals with Skriniar at the heart of their defense last term.
Left-back: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Despite making his competitive debut in 2012 as a 17-year-old, the 2020-21 campaign was arguably the best season for Luke Shaw. The Englishman turned out to be one of the most consistent providers in world football last season.
On top of that, Shaw had a stellar Euro 2020, laying out three assists and scoring the fastest-ever goal in the final of a European Championship. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old left-back was left out on the chopping block during the assembly of this year's Ballon d'Or shortlist.
Also read: 4 footballers backing Karim Benzema to win Ballon d'Or in 2021
Central midfielder: Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
Despite participating heavily in Italy's historic Euro 2020 triumph, Marco Verratti was unceremoniously ousted from the 2021 Ballon d'Or shortlist. Verratti was an ever-present in the Azzurri's midfield, stitching several beautiful passes from the center of the park. He was also a key figure in PSG's run to the Champions League semis, recording two assists in seven matches.
In fact, Verratti has been the orchestrator of this star-studded PSG team for quite some time now, gracefully controlling the tempo of his team's play on a consistent basis. Despite his commendable performances, Verratti haplessly missed out on a Ballon d'Or nod. The midfielder has every right to feel robbed off a potential nomination.
Central midfielder: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich has had a seamless transition from right-back to the base of the midfield, achieving every accolade under the sun in club football, except a Ballon d'Or nomination. In the past two seasons, the German has thoroughly cemented his position as the best defensive midfielder in the world.
Kimmich has been an integral part of the rampant Bayern Munich side of today, excelling in his role as one-half of a double pivot midfield. Still, the 26-year-old maestro missed out on this year's Ballon d'Or nomination. Despite the disappointment, Kimmich has stated he is unbothered by the snub.
Central attacking midfielder: Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Similar to compatriot Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Muller has been immensely consistent over the past few seasons. The versatile German has been playing at the highest level of football for almost a decade now. He was literally at the center of two treble-winning Bayern sides in 2013 and 2020, acting as the chief creator for his team on both occasions.
However, the 32-year-old playmaker is yet to receive the recognition his talent truly deserves. Muller registered a whopping 39 goal contributions last season, laying out 21 assists in the Bundesliga alone. However, his Ballon d'Or snub this year perfectly sums up the underrated career Muller has lived through. Perhaps a disappointment at Euro 2020 with Germany acted against him in the race for the Ballon d'Or. But no one can deny the contrubutions he made for Bayern.
Also read: 5 players who have produced the most assists for Lionel Messi
Right midfielder: Federico Chiesa (Juventus)
Another Italian superstar to have been snubbed from the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist this year, Federico Chiesa was an absolute revelation last season. In a dwindling Juventus side, Chiesa led by example, accumulating 26 goal involvements in his debut campaign with the Bianconeri.
He even featured in seven games for Italy at Euro 2020, grabbing two goals on his way to the title. The young prodigy is already eyed as the future of Italian football, possessing immense potential. Considering his massive contributions at the young age of 23, Chiesa is among the most unlucky players not to receive a Ballon d'Or nomination in 2021. However, with age on his side, there is no doubting Chiesa's chances of being in the running for the award in the future.
Left midfielder: Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Jadon Sancho's weary start to life at Old Trafford might convince people that leaving him out on the Ballon d'Or shortlist was justified. However, the Englishman's performances at Manchester United barely scratched the surface of his 2021 form.
In a high-flying Borussia Dortmund side, Sancho was the chief creator, despite his tender age. The 21-year-old playmaker amassed 26 goal contributions, for both club and country, in the first-half of 2021, rendering his Ballon d'Or snub completely baseless. It will be interesting to see how he performs at Old Trafford after struggling to settle so far.
Striker: Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
In 2020, Ciro Immobile became the first player, not contracted to a Spanish club, to win the European Golden Boot since 2008. The Italian striker effortlessly carried his 2020 form into the following year, scoring 25 goals last season. Having been labeled a failure due to his underwhelming spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla, the 31-year-old forward is now in the prime of his professional career.
At the time of writing, Immobile already has seven goals in as many Serie A games. To add a cherry on top, he contributed with two goals and an assist in Italy's victory at Euro 2020. Still, Immobile failed to make the preliminary Ballon d'Or shortlist and he might feel a little hard done by it.
Also read: Ranking the 10 best players aged under 23 and contracted to Manchester United at the moment
