Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d’Or snub was ‘right’ admits Robbie Savage; backs World Cup star to win

France Football unveiled their list last week, with Ronaldo’s absence proving one of the key talking points.

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was included and is one of the favourites to lift the award in October.

The Argentine may have endured an underwhelming spell at Paris Saint-Germain, though victory in the World Cup last December makes his one of the top contenders for the individual prize.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, spent the first half of the 2022/23 season at Old Trafford where he scored one goal in 10 Premier League appearances.

The forward later moved to Saudi Arabia where he scored 14 goals in 16 league games for Al Nasr.

“For the first time in 20 years there’s no Cristiano Ronaldo and to be fair, that's probably correct,” Savage told Planet Sport.

“Half the season at Manchester United he didn't perform to what we know Cristiano Ronaldo can do.

“Then goes to Saudi, scores goals but scoring goals in a Saudi league for half a season doesn't nominate you for the Ballon d'Or. I think it's right that Cristiano Ronaldo was not in it for the first time in 20 years.

“You look at Lionel Messi’s form for PSG, it wasn't that great. But it's a World Cup year and Messi in that World Cup was absolutely superb. Got his hands on that trophy. He’s an absolute icon, an idol. This will be Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or.”

Manchester City ace Erling Haaland is also one of the hot favourites after enjoying a stunning first season with the Sky Blues.

The Norway international shattered numerous records as he helped his side to the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.

Despite his incredible individual efforts, Savage believes Messi’s World Cup heroics will give him the edge in the voting.

He said: “Can Erling Haaland feel aggrieved? Winning the Premier League, winning the Champions League. Is that a better achievement than winning a World Cup?

“You know, there's a big debate what's harder to win the Champions League or a World Cup.

“That's a huge debate. You have to beat some of the best teams in the world to win a Champions League. Do you have to beat some of the best teams in the world to win a World Cup? It's a huge debate. 

“I think personally, this is just my opinion, to win the Champions League now is harder than to win a World Cup. People will say ‘what do I know’ I've never competed in either of them, but that's my opinion.

“So Halland or Messi? I think the voting will go to Messi because the World Cup, which eluded him, he's won it with his teammates.

“I think Messi will win it but if you're looking at Man City doing the treble, look at the impact Erling Haaland had in his first season in the Premier League.

“Man City couldn’t win the Champions League, but they did it with Haaland there, so for me Haaland should win it, but I think Messi will.”