This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
October 22, 2019
Neymar Jr, the Brazilian forward, has missed out of the Ballon d'Or shortlist for the first time in eight years, sparking eyebrows among football fans.
According to France Football, the organizers of the award, Neymar's injury woes, including a setback in January 2019 against Strasbourg, have been a major factor in his exclusion.
The injury forced him to miss the Champions League defeat against Manchester United, which angered Neymar in the stands.
He went on to insult UEFA officials following the game, earning him a two-game ban in European competition.
France Football also cited Neymar's controversial behavior, including an incident in April when he pushed a fan for insulting him after the Coupe de France final.
Other examples of his behavior include his absence from Brazil's Copa America triumph due to injury and the 'soap opera of the summer' when he failed to seal his return to Barcelona.
Despite missing out, Liverpool's Champions League winners dominated the nominations for the Ballon d'Or, with seven of Jurgen Klopp's men included on the 30-man shortlist.
