Ballon d'Or 2019: XI players who should have made the 30-man shortlist | OneFootball

Monday evening saw the unveiling of this year’s Ballon d’Or longlist.

The 30 best players on the planet were announced by France Football over a few hours on Twitter with the winner to be crowned later this year.

But as ever, there were some brilliant players left out – so we’ve compiled a tasty looking XI of those men who perhaps should have been included.

Goalkeeper

Jan Oblak (Atlético Madrid)

The best goalkeeper in the world right now, and has been for the past two seasons. There’s really nothing more we can add than that.

Defence

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Perhaps Bayern Munich’s key man in their Bundesliga triumph last season. Joshua Kimmich’s versatility has seen him become one of the most-prized players in world football.

Leonardo Bonnuci (Juventus)

An ever-present as Juventus claimed yet another Serie A title. Leonardo Bonnuci is consistently brilliant and brilliantly consistent.

Andy Robertson (Liverpool)

If Trent Alexander-Arnold deserved a place on the longlist (which he did) then so did Andy Robertson, his partner in crime at full-back.

Midfield

Fernandinho (Manchester City)

A number of Manchester City players rightly made the list but there was no space for Fernandinho. This despite Pep Guardiola’s own assertions earlier this year that City struggle without their talismanic Brazilian.

Miralem Pjanić (Juventus)

2019 has been a brilliant year for Mirlaem Pjanić – helping to guide Juventus to another Scudetto and earning admiring glances from the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City.

N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea)

Integral to Chelsea’s Europa League victory, it’s beyond us as to why N’Golo Kanté isn’t on this list.

Thiago Alcântara (Bayern Munich)

Bayern Munich’s creative hub, the man they turn to when things need unlocking – Thiago was sensational in their Bundesliga-winning campaign.

Attack

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

Jadon Sancho broke into the mainstream this year, playing an integral part in Borussia Dortmund’s title challenge and establishing himself as a full England international.

Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Harry Kane had a better 2019 than Karim Benzema. Don’t @ us.

Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria)

Better than Cristiano Ronaldo, better than Kalidou Koulibaly – Fabio Quagliarella was the best player in Italy in 2019 and should have been included.