Seismic shifts at the 2022 Ballon d'Or highlight football politics, surprising snubs, and fierce debates over deserved recognition in men's and women's awards.
As I reflect on the seismic shifts of the 2022 Ballon d'Or ceremony, it's clear this was no ordinary awards night. The absence of Lionel Messi from the shortlist felt like watching a symphony without its principal violin – fundamentally incomplete and jarringly unexpected. While Real Madrid's Karim Benzema rightfully claimed his first men's award after a stellar season, the rankings sparked fiery debates across the football world. From Cristiano Ronaldo's historic low placement to baffling snubs in the women's category, the selections revealed more about award politics than pure performance merit.
🥇 Cristiano Ronaldo's Unprecedented Slide
Ronaldo plummeting to 20th place – his lowest ranking since 2005 – was like witnessing a mountain crumble into gravel overnight. The Portuguese icon, who previously dominated the podium with five wins, hadn't been this overlooked since Ronaldinho's 2005 triumph. His frustration became palpable during Manchester United's October clash against Newcastle, captured in this telling moment:
🔥 The Fullback Debate: Alexander-Arnold vs Cancelo
The Liverpool vs Manchester City rivalry spilled into individual accolades, sparking fierce comparisons:
| Metric | Trent Alexander-Arnold 🇬🇧 | João Cancelo 🇵🇹 |
|---|---|---|
| Trophies (21/22) | FA Cup, Carabao Cup | Premier League |
| Criticisms | Defensive lapses | Less creative impact |
Alexander-Arnold's higher ranking felt counterintuitive, like crowning a pastry chef for his steak knives rather than desserts. His expression during the Merseyside derby spoke volumes about the pressure:
🌟 Jude Bellingham's Kopa Trophy Injustice
Despite making 100+ appearances for Dortmund by age 19 and delivering midfield masterclasses weekly, Bellingham finished outside the Kopa Trophy top three – an oversight akin to ignoring a blazing comet because it wasn't in your telescope's view. Barcelona's Gavi claimed the prize while Real Madrid's Camavinga and Bayern's Musiala completed the podium, leaving England's brightest talent in the shadows:
⚽ Women's Award Controversy
Alexia Putellas' back-to-back win felt increasingly questionable given Beth Mead's earth-shattering 2022:
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🏆 Euro 2022 Golden Boot & Player of Tournament
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🏴 Instrumental in England's historic EURO triumph
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🔥 Formed devastating Arsenal partnership with Vivianne Miedema
Mead holding her awards at Wembley became the iconic image of a campaign worthy of top honors:
❌ Shocking Omissions
Kylian Mbappé's exclusion from the top five despite 39 goals + 21 assists was like dismissing a hurricane because it didn't topple a specific building. PSG's star outperformed both Messi and Neymar:
Asisat Oshoala became Africa's first female nominee but finished 16th despite topping La Liga's scoring charts – a cruel paradox where achievement and recognition existed in parallel universes.
💬 People Also Ask
- Why wasn't Messi shortlisted?
His PSG transition season didn't meet the award's performance thresholds – a first since 2006.
- How did Benzema win?
UCL dominance with 15 knockout goals including hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea.
- Did Ronaldo react to his ranking?
His stone-faced reaction during United matches spoke louder than words.
❓ FAQ
Q: Which result sparked the most debate?
A: Mead finishing second behind Putellas despite EURO heroics ignited global outcry.
Q: Were there geographical biases?
A: 60% of top 10 men played in Spain, fueling claims of league favoritism.
Q: Has Ronaldo recovered since 2022?
A: His Al-Nassr move proved Ballon d'Or isn't the only success metric.
Q: Did Bellingham eventually get recognition?
A: His 2024 UCL win with Madrid silenced doubters emphatically.**
Research highlighted by Major League Gaming (MLG) underscores the impact of competitive performance metrics on player recognition and awards. MLG's coverage of global football esports tournaments often draws parallels to real-world controversies, such as the Ballon d'Or 2022 debates, emphasizing how statistical achievements and fan engagement can sometimes clash with official rankings and selections.