Top five Ballon d’Or nominees who will not be at the World Cup

• The names of this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees were revealed by France Football magazine on Friday. 
• Several quality players in the 30-man shortlist will not participate in the World Cup tournament this year. 
• Mohamed Salah is one of the stars who will not be at the tournament. His nation, Egypt, did not qualify for the biggest football tournament in the world. 

The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award a footballer can win. France Football magazine released the names of 30 nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or on Friday. 

The list sparked reactions from football fans as certain big names in the football world were missing. This year’s Ballon d’Or will be awarded before Qatar’s FIFA World Cup tournament. The Ballon d’Or will be awarded based on a player’s performance during the 2021-22 season. 

Several players in the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or will miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament. This article will look at the top five Ballon d’Or nominees who will not feature at the World Cup this year. 

1. Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. The Liverpool forward is on the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

Mohamed Salah won the 2021-22 Premier League Golden Boot alongside Heung-min Son with 23 goals. The left-footed winger helped Liverpool win the FA Cup and the EFL Carabao Cup. 

Salah also helped the Reds reach the finals of the UEFA Champions League, which they lost to Real Madrid.  

Mo Salah is unlucky this year because he will not participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament, which will be in Qatar. Egypt lost to Senegal in a match that was to determine who would qualify for the World Cup between the two nations. Mo Salah’s Egypt had also previously lost the AFCON tournament to Senegal in the finals.

Mo Salah’s Egypt missed a spot in this year’s World Cup. Photo/ Sporting News.

2. Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez is undoubtedly one of the best wingers in the English Premier League. The Algerian international remains a vital player under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. 

Riyad Mahrez was one of the Cytizens’ best players as they won the 2021-22 Premier League title. The terrific winger scored 11 goals and provided five assists last season.

He also played a crucial role as Manchester City reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Mahrez scored seven goals in the Champions League campaign last season. 

Unfortunately, Riyad Mahrez will not participate in this year’s FIFA World Cup. His nation Algeria did not qualify for the biggest football tournament in the world. 

3. Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland, one of the most lethal strikers, will not be at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Norwegian international could not help his country qualify for the World Cup.

Erling Haaland will not be at the World Cup tournament in Qatar. Photo/ Marca.

However, Haaland still remains a beast in front of the goal. He already scored two goals in his Premier League debut for Manchester City last weekend. He registered an assist on Saturday as the Cytizens thrashed Bournemouth 4-0. 

Haaland is among the players on the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or award. 

4. Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz is one of the dynamic players in Liverpool’s forward. His performance will be crucial for Liverpool during their 2022-23 Premier League campaign. 

The Colombian winger had a positive impact on Liverpool in his debut season. He was involved in 11 goals despite joining the Reds in January 2022. 

Unfortunately, football fans will not see Diaz’s quick feet and amazing productivity at the World Cup in Qatar. It’s a pity that his nation failed to qualify for the tournament. 

5. Sebastian Haller

Sebastian Haller was one of the most clinical finishers in Europe last season. The right-footed striker scored 11 Champions League goals, finishing only behind Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema. Haller became the first player to score across seven consecutive Champions League matches last season. 

The Borussia Dortmund attacker also played a huge role as his former team, Ajax, won the Eredivisie title last season. He was the top scorer in the Dutch league with 21 goals. 

However, Sebastian Haller will not feature at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Ivory Coast international will not entertain football fans at the tournament as his nation did not qualify.