The list of 30 nominees for the 2022 Ballon d’Or has been revealed and Leonel Messi is not part. The France Football jury had no scruples in dismissing the defending champion. However, the magazine’s editor in chief, Pascal Ferré, saw fit to apologize to La Pulga.
This year, and for the first time since 2005, Lionel Messi is not among the contenders for the Ballon d’Or title. His final season was not deemed good enough for him to apply for his own succession.
Pascal Ferré published an editorial in French which he entitled “Pardon Leo”. “Sorry Leo for what you might mistake for baseness, ingratitude or lack of recognition, could we also read in this ball. This non-selection is not a condemnation. We bet it’s just a goodbye? And not a farewell. Because you can’t “leave” like this. Oh no, Leo, not you, not now, not after all you’ve done.”
In the same way that they wanted to justify the presence of each named inside the magazine, the journalists of France Football wanted to explain themselves about the omission of the one who holds the record of consecrations.
“Not inviting the Argentinian to the high mass of football leaders is not a trivial decision. It was taken collectively… and without much discussion. As if unanimity continued to stick to his shorts. Except this time it’s the other way around. Why ? Because after having spread caviar on us for more than a decade, his Parisian ham and butter inevitably left us a little on the stomach. Because the ordinary suits him badly,” he added.
Among the few juries that opposed the ouster of the Parisian star there is Didier Drogba, who has the right to vote in his capacity as ambassador of the Ballon d’Or.
“It’s Messi, anyway! “, he had dropped to the assistance, without his rant being taken into account.
The Pulga will therefore be well and truly deprived of the great feast, while Cristiano Ronaldo, his great rival, was entitled to an 18th consecutive nomination.
Source: AfrikPage