Alisson Becker, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have all missed out on nominations at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards after the nominees were announced ahead of next month’s ceremony.
The biggest individual prize in world football will be awarded on October 28, with a new name almost certain to succeed current holder Lionel Messi . Vinicius Jr, Rodri and Jude Bellingham are among the favorites for the main trophy, but that’s not the only one being handed out next month.
So far, nominees for the Kopa Trophy, Yachine Trophy, Men’s Coach of the Year and Men’s Club of the Year have all been announced, as well as the contenders for the Women’s Ballon d’Or. Unfortunately for Liverpool, Klopp and Alisson , there is no space for the Reds.
Klopp bowed out after nearly nine years in charge of Liverpool earlier this summer having won the Carabao Cup and guided the Reds back into the Champions League in his final season. That isn’t enough to earn him a spot on what is a star-studded shortlist for Coach of the Year though.
Carlo Ancelotti heads the list after winning La Liga and yet another Champions League with Real Madrid, and he’s joined by Xabi Alonso after his remarkable first full season in charge of Bayer Leverkusen. Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, Pep Guardiola and Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni complete the nominees.
There’s no place on the list of contenders for the Yachine Trophy for Alisson, although new signing Giorgi Mamardashvili earns a spot ahead of joining the Reds next year. Diogo Costa, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Gregor Kobel, Andriy Lunin, Mike Maignan, Emi Martinez, Unai Simon, Yann Sommer and Ronwen Williams join the Georgia international in the nominees.
And there’s no place for Liverpool either on the Club of the Year shortlist. Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City are joined by Champions League finalist Borussia Dortmund and La Liga surprise package Girona in that category.
Nominees for the Men’s Ballon d’Or are set to be announced in due course, and it will be interesting to see whether any Liverpool players make that list.
Liverpool.com says: It’s no huge surprise to see Alisson not make the list for the Yachine Trophy. Although he remains the best goalkeeper in the world – in our eyes at the very least – he did have his injury problems last season, which have almost certainly cost him a place on the list.
As for Klopp, it would have been a nice touch for him to earn a nomination after his final season at Anfield, although you can’t argue with the achievements of those listed. It will be interesting to see who wins the coach’s award – Alonso enjoyed an absolutely incredible season at Leverkusen, although a Champions League win will carry a lot of weight for Ancelotti.
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