Four Four Two · Oct 24, 2016
'Insipid' Hazard overlooked for Ballon d'Or
Ballon d'Or organisers France Football have explained why Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema did not merit nominations for the coveted award.
France Football has blamed Eden Hazard's "insipid" form for much of 2016 for his omission from the Ballon d'Or shortlist, while acknowledging Karim Benzema's Euro 2016 absence was a factor in the Real Madrid striker missing the cut.
The prestigious annual award that recognises the premier individual performer in world football is back under the sole control of France Football following a split with FIFA and the publication identified a group of players it classed as being close to its 30-man shortlist.