Forgotten few: 6 snubs from the prestigious FIFA award nominations
As is the case in any award ceremonies, people's favourites are excluded from the nominations to win a gong. This year's FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich on Jan. 11, 2016 is no different.
Here are the six we think were shunned from the prize-giving this year:
FIFA Ballon d'Or
No real surprises in this year's nominees for the planet's best player, as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar will compete for the most coveted individual award in world football.
But did the member associations and media representatives play it safe? Are there other players who deserve the accolade more?
Gordon Brunt: His world-record breaking scoring run may have come too late to be included among the three finalists for football's most prestigious individual award, but Robert Lewandowski's knack for finding the back of the net is an attribute few footballers in the world can match.
As the three worthy nominees were unveiled as finalists for the Ballon d'Or, Lewandowski was busy collecting another honour, as he was the proud owner of four separate Guinness World Record plaques for his five-goal haul against Wolfsburg.
Daniel Rouse: Luis Suarez has been exceptional since his move to Barcelona, shrugging off his antics at the 2014 World Cup and the subsequent ban to become a vital component of the most feared front line in world football.
Only once have all three candidates to be awarded as the world's best player come from the same club - when Messi won over Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi for 2010 - but it should have been another trio from Catalonia given Cristiano Ronaldo's struggles in the current campaign.
FIFA World Coach of the Year
A strong Latin contingent make up the nominees for the best coach in world football, with Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola, Barcelona's Luis Enrique and Jorge Sampaoli, who guided Chile to Copa America glory, making up the trio.
Gordon Brunt: Following in the footsteps of Antonio Conte, and his trophy-laden career at Juventus, was a challenge Massimiliano Allegri comprehensively accomplished after equaling his predecessor's dominance in Serie A with a fourth straight league crown.
Adding to the belief he was the right man for the job following Conte's surprise departure was Juve's return to the continent's biggest stage as Allegri guided Italy's most dominant outfit to its first Champions League final berth since 2003, only to see the team's attempt to win a third European title fall short against a dominant Barcelona side.
Daniel Rouse: Former second-tier midfielder Unai Emery is a name not widely known outside of Spain, but it's a name that is sure to go down in Andalusian history after he guided Sevilla to its second successive Europa League title in May.
The chances of picking up silverware for Spanish clubs are limited given the supremacy of Real Madrid and Barcelona, so to be able to still fill the trophy cabinet is a huge achievement. For the same reason, Diego Simeone should have picked up the award last year after guiding Atletico Madrid to an unlikely La Liga title.
FIFA Puskas Award
Choosing the finest goal between Sept. 27, 2014 and Sept. 23, 2015 is the most subjective yet enjoyable category. Messi's mazy dribble and finish in the Copa del Rey final, Alessandro Florenzi's long range effort against Barcelona and little-known Brazilian Wendell Lira's overhead kick make the cut.
Gordon Brunt: Even if Marcel Ndjeng was a household name, his half-field rocket might have still been overlooked since it took place against Bolton during a pre-season friendly. Nonetheless, there's no denying the skill that went into the Paderborn midfielder's volley as he unleashed a lethal shot from just inside the half that even the world's best goalkeeper would struggle to stop because of the unpredictable nature of the shot.
Daniel Rouse: Once again, the money-spinners at the top of the game have two big names in the contenders for the best strike. Wendell Lira is a token pick for a prize that will undoubtedly go to one of the other two. Personally, my favourite in the time allotted by FIFA wasn't in the longlist; this rabona from Sean Geddes of sixth-tier Worcester City is the best: