Izuchukwu Okosi
Seven-time Ballon d’ Or winner Lionel Messi and his PSG teammate Neymar have not been included on the 30-man shortlist for the 2022 Ballon d’Or released on Friday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNigeria’s Asisat Oshoala was named as one of the nominees for the women’s version of the award.
The Argentina international, Messi, did not make the list despite scoring 11 goals in 34 matches for Paris Saint-Germain last season.
Last season’s Premier League joint top goalscorer Mohamed Salah is included, after also providing the most assists last season, despite Liverpool falling just short of the title.
Cristiano Ronaldo was also listed among the players for the award while favourite to win the men’s gong, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema was nominated.
Christopher Nkunku – Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2021/22 – and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich all make the cut alongside former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane.
Barcelona Femini and Super Falcons star Oshoala was listed along with players like Vivianne Miedena, Lucy Bronze, Kadidiatpu Diani, Selma Balcha, Alex Putellas (current holder) and Ada Hegerberg
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
