France Football editor-in-chief, Vincent Garcia, has shed light on why Bayern Munich winger Jamal Musiala was notably absent from the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist. Despite Musiala’s impressive performances over the past season, he failed to make the cut in the list of 30 nominees announced by France Football. The omission has raised eyebrows, given Musiala’s standout contributions both domestically and internationally.
Musiala, who was born in Nigeria, delivered a remarkable season for Bayern Munich. He scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 38 appearances for the Bavarian giants. His performance was not limited to club football; he also made significant strides on the international stage. During Euro 2024, Musiala emerged as one of the tournament’s top goalscorers, netting three goals and playing a crucial role in Germany’s campaign, which ultimately ended in the quarter-finals.
The decision to exclude Musiala from the Ballon d’Or shortlist is particularly striking as several of his national teammates, including Toni Kroos, Florian Wirtz, Mats Hummels, and Antonio Rudiger, were selected. This has led to considerable speculation about the criteria used for the nominations.
Garcia provided some insight into the rationale behind the decision. In a statement quoted by Tz’s Philipp Kessler via @iMiaSanMia, Garcia emphasized that Musiala’s exclusion should not be seen as a reflection of his talent or potential. “The fact that Jamal Musiala is not on the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or does not mean that his talent, which everyone recognizes, is in question,” Garcia noted.
He further elaborated that Musiala had been included in the previous year’s Ballon d’Or considerations and was also nominated for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player. However, Garcia pointed out that Musiala’s status and expectations had evolved over the past year. “Like Jude Bellingham, his status has evolved and expectations were probably higher this year. As a result, he was probably assessed differently,” Garcia explained.
Garcia also highlighted that Musiala’s performances in critical matches, such as the Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid and the Euros quarter-final against Spain, did not meet the elevated expectations. While his performances were not disastrous, they were deemed to be less impactful compared to other candidates.
The editor-in-chief also mentioned that Bayern Munich’s overall disappointing season, where they finished in the Bundesliga in their worst position since 2011, might have contributed to Musiala’s exclusion. The team’s struggles could have influenced the perception of Musiala’s individual achievements.
Despite the current setback, Garcia expressed optimism about Musiala’s future prospects. “I’m sure he will return to this list in the future,” Garcia said, suggesting that the exclusion from the 2024 shortlist is likely a temporary issue.
Musiala’s exclusion from the Ballon d’Or list highlights the intense competition and high standards associated with the award. It reflects the challenges faced by players in meeting the elevated expectations and consistently delivering standout performances in crucial moments. As football fans and analysts continue to debate the criteria for the Ballon d’Or nominations, Musiala’s exclusion underscores the complexities involved in evaluating player performances on a global scale.
The discussion around Musiala’s omission also brings attention to the evolving nature of football and the shifting dynamics of player recognition. With a new season on the horizon, Musiala will have the opportunity to prove himself once again and potentially secure his place among the elite players in future Ballon d’Or considerations.
