Ballon d’Or: Neymar Calls Out Organizers for Snubbing One Player

Brazilian star Neymar Jr., currently playing for Al Hilal, has openly criticized the exclusion of Real Madrid's Rodrygo from the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

Neymar took to social media to express his discontent, asserting that Rodrygo is "one of the top five players globally." This strong endorsement from Neymar signifies the high regard in which he holds his compatriot.

Rodrygo, at just 23 years old, had an impressive season with Real Madrid, making over 50 appearances and scoring 17 goals. His contributions were pivotal in Madrid's successful campaigns in both LaLiga and the Champions League.

Despite these achievements, France Football, the organization responsible for the Ballon d'Or, decided to omit him from their prestigious list.

This decision has sparked a major debate within the football community about the selection criteria for the Ballon d'Or. Critics argue that the omission of a player with such a substantial impact on his team's success raises questions about the metrics used to evaluate player excellence.