Leo Messi faces an unusual moment in the Ballon d’Or conversation, marking the first time since 2006 that he isn’t widely forecast as a top contender. The Argentine star isn’t listed among last season’s top 30, which means a gala on October 17 may not feature his name in the winner’s circle. Amid the usual fanfare, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a frequent mention as a potential winner, underscoring the ongoing debate about who should claim football’s prestige prize.
arguments
Lequipe’s critique of Messi’s absence rests on several strategic points. First, the selection criteria for this edition shifted away from calendar year and toward season performance, reframing how eligibility is assessed. Second, the candidate roster is built by a collaboration between Lequipe and French football authorities, with input from the Ballon d’Or ambassador and voters who closely tracked outcomes from the previous edition. The list includes international contributors such as Truong Anh Ngoc from Vietnam, Gordon Watson from New Zealand, and Karolina Hlavackova from the Czech Republic, illustrating a diverse panel.
No Pourquoi Messi as Ronaldo is on the list of names for Ballon d’Or 2022 https://t.co/Nl5W7sXNex #balloondor pic.twitter.com/9rCjZcjNtB
— L’EQUIPE (@lequipe) August 12, 2022
Moreover, Lequipe notes a narrowing of the voting pool. The number of countries represented has been reduced from 170 to the top hundreds, prompting questions about whether nations with less football infrastructure or limited access to match footage dilute the jury’s expertise. The new system emphasizes voting from the most consistently ranked footballing nations, with a special provision for women’s football in the associated federation.
Lequipe also highlights Messi’s early season in Paris as a rocky start. In Ligue 1 he tallied only six goals, and his exit from Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout rounds of the Champions League raised questions about his adaptation. Critics cited the period as a tense chapter in his career, with some observers noting that the on-field impact did not meet expectations, leading to discussions about his form and fit within the team structure.
On the other hand, attention stays on Cristiano Ronaldo, who is cited for his enduring scoring rhythm and leadership at the national team level. The Portuguese star’s advocates point to a record of crucial goals in group stages and league play, highlighting the consistency that defines a Ballon d’Or campaign. Between his international legacy and club-level statistics, Ronaldo’s candidacy remains robust, with supporters arguing that his overall influence across competitions warrants serious consideration. In parallel, other leading names have posted strong seasons, including players who showed prolific goal-scoring runs and decisive performances in key fixtures. The discussion centers on how each candidate’s season-long performance translates into the prestige and legacy associated with the Ballon d’Or, a trophy that blends individual achievement with historical context.