France Football just released the Ballon d’Or nominations list, and several Real Madrid players made the cut. Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham stood out and fully deserved to be there.
But one absentee has left Real Madrid fans confused and frustrated. Los Blancos’ standout performer last season, and arguably for several seasons, Fede Valverde was nowhere to be seen on the list, and it’s baffling to imagine why.
The Ballon d’Or has long been controversial. Just look at last year when Vinicius Jr was snubbed at the last moment. That decision was infuriating. And now, the exclusion of Fede Valverde just makes things worse for Real Madrid.
A Real Madrid standout was brutally snubbed from Ballon d'Or nominations
It’s a no-brainer that Fede Valverde clearly deserved a spot on the list of nominees. Both statistically and in terms of impact, he was more effective and decisive for his team than several players who were included.
According to FBREF, the Uruguayan clearly outperforms Declan Rice, who did make the list, in shooting and passing, the two metrics that most directly reflect a midfielder’s quality.
Valverde recorded nearly 40% shot-on-target accuracy in the 2024-25 season, while Rice sat closer to 30%. Even in goals per shot, the numbers favor Valverde. His average shot distance was 26 yards, compared to Rice’s 19, showing he took on more ambitious chances and still maintained efficiency.
In terms of overall contribution, Valverde was an absolute engine and carried Real Madrid’s midfield last season. While it’s true that Madrid didn’t win a major trophy, the Ballon d’Or is meant to reward individual performances, and Valverde ticks every box.
He also captained Uruguay in several matches at the Copa America, where they finished third, and he played in every game for his country.
That sounds like a solid enough portfolio to at least warrant a nomination. This isn’t a piece aimed at discrediting those who made the list, but it does highlight that Valverde lacks nothing that should keep him off it.