Ballon d’Or 2022: Benzema leads the way as Messi and Neymar miss out

The final nominees for the prestigious award has been released by the footballing body.

France Football have announced a list of thirty (30) nominees for the 2022 men’s Ballon d’Or football category.

The winner of the most prestigious individual award in the game of football will be crowned at an official presentation ceremony in October.

According to the organisers, the nominees were chosen based on their performances during the 2021-22 football season.

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is poised to be crowned the winner after having a spectacular season last term. He inspired Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double last season, hence he is no doubt the favourite to win the award.

However, he faces strong competition from familiar faces who also performed spectacularly for their respective clubs last season.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who won the award for a record seventh time in 2021, has not been nominated.

Messi had a disappointing season last season with French giants Paris Saint-Germain and he looks set to pass the gong to a new name in two months’ time.

Check out the full list of nominees below or click here: