The 2021/22 Balon d’Or shortlist is out. And this year’s version seems to standout as it is the first time the Balon d’Or selection will be based on a season’s achievement rather than an achievement in a calendar year. Another surprise in this year’s shortlist is the absence of the most Balon d’Or and last year’s winner Lionel Messi. A reflection of a disappointing first season outside of La Liga in PSG. However his compatriot, Ronaldo managed to make the cut. Real Madrid, Liverpool and Man City had the most representatives with 6 each as Bayern Munich and Liverpool’s want-away star, Sadio Mane made the list.
The full Ballon d’Or shortlist is:
- Trent ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
- Karim BENZEMA
- João Cancelo
- CASEMIRO
- Thibaut COURTOIS
- CRISTIANO RONALDO
- Kevin DeBruyne
- Luis DIAZ
- FABINHO
- Phil FODEN
- Erling HAALAND
- Sébastien HALLER
- Harry KANE
- Joshua KIMMICH
- Rafael LEAO
- Robert LEWANDOWSKI
- Riyad MAHREZ
- Mike MAIGNAN
- Sadio MANÉ
- Kylian MBAPPÉ
- Luka MODRIC
- Christopher NKUNKU
- Darwin NUÑEZ
- Antonio RÜDIGER
- Mohamed SALAH
- Bernardo SILVA
- SON Heung-min
- Virgil VAN DIJK
- VINICIUS JUNIOR
- Dusan VLAHOVIC
The Yashin Trophy is given to the best performing goalkeeper of the year or in this instance, of the season.
The full Yashin Trophy shortlist is:
- Yassine BOUNOU
- Alisson BECKER
- Thibaut COURTOIS
- EDERSON
- Mike MAIGNAN
- Edouard MENDY
- Manuel NEUER
- Jan OBLAK
- Kevin TRAPP
- Hugo LLORIS
