The omission of several high-profile players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Mohamed Salah, from the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has triggered heated reactions among Nigerian football fans. While some supporters believe the nominees reflect the players who had the strongest overall seasons, others argue that the absence of established stars from the shortlist is difficult to justify. For Olamide Babalola, Ronaldo's exclusion is understandable, despite the Portugal captain continuing to score regularly for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Babalola argued that the 41-year-old is no longer the same player who dominated the award during his peak years, adding that his recent World Cup performance and limitations in other areas of his game had contributed to a decline in his overall influence. He also played down Salah's...
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