Instead of the usual debate leading up to the announcement of the award or the argument after the fact, 2020’s discussion about Ballon d’Or has come down to this: who has been robbed?
It will be the first time the trophy given for the world’s best men’s footballer has not been awarded since Englishman Stanley Matthews won the inaugural edition in 1956.
The decision was announced by organisers France Football announced on Monday.
“There will be no edition in 2020, because it turns out, after thoughtful consideration, that all the conditions are not met,” said Pascal Ferre, the editor of the magazine.
“Protecting the credibility and legitimacy of such an award also means ensuring its flawlessness over time.”
France Football added that it was looking forward to holding a ceremony in 2021, but that this year it would instead organise a vote for the all-time greatest men’s XI.
The Covid-19 outbreak saw all major football leagues shut down in March, with the German Bundesliga the first to resume behind closed doors in May.
France Football said it would be unfair to vote on the world’s best player when some leagues, including the French Ligue 1, cancelled their seasons early.
Ferre also suggested that it would not be right to judge players based on games played without spectators present.
The race for the Ballon d'Or would have been particularly interesting this year with several candidates putting in stellar performances and winning silverware this season. While this list does feature the usual suspects, some surprise names have also emerged werr in contention to win the Ballon d'Or.
Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos has been Real Madrid's man of the hour on several occasions this year. Los Blancos' captain is set to find himself in the Ballon d'Or top ten after a string of crucial performances in La Liga this season. Ramos is also Real Madrid's designated penalty taker and has scored an astonishing 11 goals this season. He has managed 17 Clean sheets in 35 games playing as a Centre back.
Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois has arguably been the best goalkeeper in the world this season. The Belgian shot-stopper has not put a foot wrong and seems to block everything that comes his way. Courtois has kept 18 clean sheets in La Liga this year and has won the Zamora trophy.
Virgil van Dijk
Barring an uncharacteristic error against Arsenal last week, Van Dijk has been the best defender in the world this season. The Dutchman has been a rock at the back for Liverpool and will find himself in the top five of the Ballon d'Or shortlist this season.
Karim Benzema
In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema has taken up the responsibility of being Real Madrid's talisman and has been a lethal threat in the final third. Benzema has scored 19 goals in La Liga season and has been the primary driving force behind Real Madrid's success in the league.
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is the most complete midfielder in the world at the moment. The Manchester City talisman displays creativity and tenacity in equal measure on the pitch and is capable of some truly inspirational moments. De Bruyne's performances this season may see him make the Ballon d'Or top three for the first time.
Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is the front-runner to win the Ballon d'Or this year after a sensational year with Bayern Munich. The Polish striker has been scoring for fun this season and has an incredible 51 goals in 43 games. With a Bundesliga title and a DFB-Pokal under his belt, Lewandowski will feel hard done being denied the Ballon d'Or this season.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is the first of the two usual suspects that are generally touted to win the Ballon d'Or every year. The Argentine genius has developed into more of a playmaker in recent weeks and became the first player in La Liga history to score 20 goals and bag 20 assists in the same season. Messi's lack of trophies this season, however, will count against him in the Ballon d'Or rankings.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has been well below his supernatural best this season and while he may not have bossed the Serie A, he still has an astonishing 28 goals to his name in the league. The Portuguese forward is set to win the Serie A title this season and can potentially improve his chances to win the Ballon d'Or by working his magic in the Champions League.
Possible Winner
Robert Lewandowski is arguably the only player that truly deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this season. The Bayern Munich striker has been unstoppable in the final third and has carried his team to an eighth consecutive Bundesliga title as well as the coveted DFB-Pokal.
Lewandowski can also win the treble this season if he is able to replicate his heroics in the Champions League. The Polish striker already has 11 goals in Europe's flagship competition and a UCL title will cement him as an outright favourite to win the Ballon d'Or.
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