Scott McTominay’s Ballon d’Or Nomination
In an impressive turn of events, Scott McTominay, the Napoli midfielder, has been shortlisted for the coveted 2025 Ballon d’Or. This remarkable achievement marks a significant shift for the Scotland international, who previously found himself marginalized at Manchester United before transferring to Napoli last summer for €30 million.
During his inaugural season in Serie A, McTominay made a substantial impact, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists over 34 matches, which played a crucial role in helping the team secure the 2024-25 Serie A title. His resilience and contributions have turned him into a fan favorite, affectionately dubbed “McTerminator” by supporters at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Historical Context of Ballon d’Or Nominees
This nomination raises intriguing discussions about the players who have historically appeared on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, especially given the long-standing dominance of icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. While McTominay certainly deserves praise for his achievements, he is not the only player whose inclusion may surprise fans.
Over the past decade, several players have made the shortlist, often overshadowed by the titans of the game. For instance, in 2014, David Luiz was nominated despite a disappointing World Cup performance with Brazil, where he captained the team during their notorious 7-1 defeat to Germany. Transitioning from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain that summer, he ultimately finished far behind Ronaldo in the voting but was recognized with a spot on the FIFPro World XI.
The following year highlighted another unexpected candidate, Dimitri Payet, who earned a nomination after a standout season with West Ham United, scoring 17 goals and providing 23 assists. He finished joint-17th in the voting, although he lagged significantly behind winner Ronaldo.
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City achieved a nomination after his pivotal role in securing the club’s incredible Premier League title victory during the 2015-16 season, where he netted 24 times in 36 games. His remarkable performance earned him a place on the shortlist alongside teammate Riyad Mahrez, and he notably outperformed heavyweights like Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
João Félix also entered the fray after an impressive breakout with Benfica, but his subsequent transfer to Atlético Madrid didn’t yield the same success, leading to a disappointing finish in the voting without any points.
History was made in 2019 when Dusan Tadic, previously known for his inconsistent outings with Southampton, received a nod following his stellar performance after moving to Ajax, where he won the Eredivisie and reached the Champions League final, albeit finishing 20th overall.
The trend continued in 2021, as César Azpilicueta, among a quintet of Chelsea players nominated after winning the Champions League, failed to score any points, as the iconic Messi took home yet another Ballon d’Or.
Liverpool saw six players nominated in 2022 following a strong season, and among them was Darwin Núñez, whose nomination was noteworthy despite his prior tenure with Benfica drawing attention at the right moment.
In a season riddled with challenges, André Onana garnered a nomination during his first year with Manchester United. Recognized for his contributions to Internazionale—where he reached the Champions League final—he ended up with two points, surpassing fellow goalie Mike Maignan.
Mats Hummels made a triumphant return to the discussion in 2024 after leading Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final. Despite time away from the shortlist since 2017, he managed to rank 29th.
Similarly, Ademola Lookman, the only African player on the 2024 shortlist, shone with memorable performances and a hat trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta, yet finished 14th in the voting, well behind the winner Rodri.
This legacy of diverse nominees underscores that greatness in football extends beyond the recognizable names, showcasing players who have made significant impacts in their own right, even if they often slip under the radar during awards season.
