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This year’s contenders were announced last NovemberPerhaps unsurprisingly, the three men vying for the game’s biggest individual crown are Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Will the Real Madrid superstar retain his crown for a third successive year to make join Messi on four crowns, or will the Argentinian star claim back the title to clinch his fifth overall?Maybe Brazilian star Neymar will confirm his evolution from hot prospect to finished article by breaking the two-man dominance that has gripped the award since 2008. All three men boast genuine credentials for the award, and the fierce battle will continue to be one of the game’s big talking points between now and January’s ceremony.However, those three stars aren’t the only players to have had exceptional years in 2015. Manuel Neuer will have been one name to feature on many people’s shortlists; unfortunately, the fact he couldn’t claim the award in 2014 meant a nomination this year was always going to be unlikely.Nevertheless, there is still a handful of players that could have genuinely been considered. Here are five of the top names to be overlooked.Who else would you have considered for the heralded shortlist? Post your views in the comments.
#5 Arturo Vidal (Juventus / Bayern Munich)
It has been a wonderful year for the midfielder
Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal had spent several years as one of Europe’s second-tier superstars, but 2015 was a year that propelled the 28-year-old to the very highest echelons in both club and international football.
Despite being joined by Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba, Vidal more than matched those two stars as he helped Juventus, and himself, to a fourth successive Serie A crown. His final year in Italy also brought a Coppa Italia crown and was just 90 minutes short of completing what would have been a mind-blowing treble.
Vidal finally moved to Bayern Munich this summer and has settled in superbly at Pep Guardiola’s revolution at the Allianz Arena. The new No. 23 boasts a pass completion ratio of over 91% in Germany and is starting attacking moves with ultimate precision as the Bavarians race towards the Bundesliga crown.
If they continue to play as they have been, the midfielder may even go one step further in Europe to finally lift his first Champions League trophy.
Vidal’s biggest achievement of 2015, however, came on the international stage. He played a starring role as Chile clinched their first ever Copa America crown on home soil, being named Man of the Match in a thrilling final win over Argentina.
It has been a truly remarkable year for the Chilean, and a nomination here would have been the icing on the cake.
#4 Carlos Tevez (Juventus / Boca Juniors)
Tevez has lifted four club honours in 2015
Winning one domestic title in a year is impressive, but lifting two crowns is nothing short of incredible. However, that’s exactly what Argentine superstar Carlos Tevez was able to do in 2015 thanks to a summer switch from Juventus to Boca Juniors.
The first half of 2015 saw the former Manchester United hero fire Juventus to the Serie A title, finishing the campaign with a noteworthy 20 league games. Moreover, the striker’s goals also helped the Bianconeri back to the forefront of European football as they sealed their first Champions League final appearance in over a decade. The Old Lady also won the Coppa Italia.
Juventus would eventually come up short to Barcelona in the final. Nonetheless, Tevez had worked his way back into the national team. It was more heartache as the Albiceleste fell at the final hurdle in Chile, but the bullish striker soon returned to boyhood club Boca Juniors.
Within a few months of returning, his leadership had fired Boca to a first league crown in four years – as well as the Copa Argentina. A starring role in two double-winning teams: it’s certainly been a great year for the infectious 31-year-old. He could have easily been considered for the top individual award too.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg / Manchester City)
De Bruyne has followed last season’s heroics in fantastic fashion at the Etihad
Having previously been considered a flop during his previous spell in England with Chelsea, Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne has become one of the Premier League’s most exciting players at Manchester City. But he’d already done plenty to win over the plaudits prior to his big summer move.
Despite playing for Wolfsburg, the 24-year-old claimed the Bundesliga Player of the Season award in 2014/15. He’d finished the campaign as Europe’s top assist maker with 27 in all competitions while notching 16 goals in the process too. Those plaudits garnered interest from a number of top clubs before he eventually made the £55m switch back to England.
Unlike his first spell in the Premier League, the Belgian whizkid has settled straight into life at the Etihad and is quickly becoming one of Manchester City’s best stars. The attacking midfielder has provided seven goals for his new club already, including a crucial late winner against Sevilla to put the Citizens on course for a Champions League knockout spot.
De Bruyne has also produced six assists in his first 10 Premier League outings for Manchester City, overshadowing fellow big summer signing Raheem Sterling by a considerable difference. When added to his role in leading his national side to Euro 2016, the rising star can perhaps consider himself unfortunate not to be listed for this award too.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
The Bayern star hasn't stopped scoring in 2015
In terms of goalscoring exploits, it’s hard to look past Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski in 2015. The Polish superstar has produced a mind-blowing return for both club and country over the past 11 months, and will feel extremely unlucky not to be involved in the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Lewandowski has scored over 40 goals for club and country this calendar year. He also ended the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign as the continent’s top scorer with a return of 13, which was four more than second-placed Thomas Mueller, as he fired his national team to next summer’s tournament.
The Polish star also made headlines when coming off the bench against Wolfsburg to score an incredible five goals in just nine minutes for club side Bayern Munich. Those goals started a run of 15 goals in just six matches for club and country, which has played a major part in taking him to another level altogether.
Lewandowski sits behind only Cristiano Ronaldo in the goals to game ratio for stars playing top flight football. It was a slightly disappointing season for Bayern as they only lifted the Bundesliga crown, but the Bavarians look set to challenge for all three titles in 2015/16. There is no question where the source of their inspiration comes from.
If he continues his scoring endeavours in 2016, Lewandowski will surely have a shot at the crown.
#1 Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
The often controversial star has enjoyed a faultless 2015
Quite frankly, it could have quite easily been a 1-2-3 finish for Barcelona’s formidable front trio. Had Luis Suarez joined teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar on the three-man shortlist, nobody could have argued.
A few eyebrows were raised when Barcelona forked our £70m for the former Liverpool man, mainly due to the suspension being served following the famous bite at World Cup 2014. After making a forgettable appearance in the Clasico, it took the Uruguayan a little while to get into the swing on things. Once he did, there was no looking back.
Suarez was instrumental during Barcelona’s incredible treble-winning season, with his infectious pressing and explosiveness in the final third helping Blaugrana at the most crucial moments. This was highlighted to perfection when the 28-year-old hit Barca’s decisive second goal against Juventus in the Champions League final.
The Uruguayan has followed that up in 2015/16 with a return of 18 goals in 20 matches thus far. Most impressively, though, his partnership with Neymar helped the Camp Nou giants get through Messi’s two-month absence unscathed.
He might be the least marketable face out of Barcelona’s tremendous trio, but his importance to the team is just as strong. Despite being absent from this summer’s Copa America, he could have oh so easily completed the perfect Blaugrana podium.
