The 2018 Ballon d’Or list has been released and for the first time in a decade, there is a possibility that someone other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi might win the trophy.
While many have pitched their hopes on Luka Modric after the Croatian won the FIFA best player award a couple of weeks ago some have also put forward the name of Kylian Mbappe as a deserving candidate.
But amongst that long list, there are certainly some names which have eyebrow with many calling foul play over the selection process.
And here are some players who clearly do not deserve to be on the 2018 Ballon d’Or list:
1. Karim Benzema:
Yes, the Real Madrid striker has been included in the 2018 Ballon d’Or list which has raised a lot of question about the shortlisting process.
Karim Benzema played 42 games for Real Madrid during the 2017-18 season and managed to score only 12 goals. Even though he became a Champions League winner at the end of the season but individually the Frenchman has one of the poorest seasons of his footballing career.
And national team duties are out of the question since he has not played for France since 2015.
2. Roberto Firmino:
Bobby Firmino as he is fondly called by the Liverpool fans is yet another name in the 2018 Ballon d’Or list which has caused a fair bit of stir.
Roberto Firmino scored 27 goals for Liverpool last season but that was basically it. He did not win a single silverware last campaign and the only feather in his cap is the Champions League final that Liverpool lost to Real Madrid.
But is that enough to make you a Ballon d’Or contender?
3. Luis Suarez:
Luis Suarez did manage to score 25 goals for Barcelona in the La Liga last season and also won the domestic season but he had a really poor run at the Champions League.
And his frailties were laid bare during the World Cup when Edinson Cavani was not available for the match against France.
Luis Suarez has been a player on decline and him being in the 2018 Ballon d’Or list is not really justified.
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