Football News: France Football Explains Cristiano Ronaldo’s Inclusion in Ballon d’Or Shortlist
Football News: France Football has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo features on the 30-man shortlist for the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
Ronaldo made the cut as France Football announced the 30-man shortlist for the coveted individual award.
The Red Devils endured one of their worst campaigns as they finished sixth in the Premier League last season. As a result, they have missed out on qualifications for this season’s Champions League. They were also eliminated from the Champions League in the round of 16 last season.
Ronaldo, though, did score 24 goals for Man Utd from 38 appearances last season. 18 of those goals came in the English top-flight as he finished third in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot. Only Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-Min, with 23 goals each, had scored more than the 37-year-old in the Premier League last season.
Ronaldo also scored six goals for Man Utd in the Champions League, with many of those coming at crucial stages. He, however, could not help the Red Devils go past Atletico Madrid in the round-of-16.
“In the Premier League, he has 18 goals including two hat-tricks. In total, 32 goals in 49 matches are not as many as in his best seasons but enough to be among the 30 best players in the world.”
Despite featuring in the shortlist, Ronaldo is not expected to win the award this season.
Ronaldo sits second in the list of players with the most Ballon d’Or wins. He has won the award five times, in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. He also finished second in the years 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2018.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins, having won it seven times, and is the current holder of the award. Messi, though, does not feature in the shortlist France Football announced on Friday.
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