Ballon d’Or Snub: Did Semenyo deserve a place on the shortlist?

GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey Ghanaian superstar Antoine Semenyo’s omission from the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist has surprised many fans and stakeholders in the sporting fraternity. The Manchester City winger had a brilliant season during the 2025/2026 campaign, earning widespread praise from supporters and analysts alike. There were high expectations that the former Bournemouth attacker would make the shortlist for the prestigious award, but that did not materialize. Full list of 2026 Ballon d’Or nominations Some believe it was a biased decision by the organizers to exclude Semenyo, while others argue that it was fair considering his overall performances for both club and country. It is worth noting that the shortlist also omitted some big names in football, including FC Barcelona stars Pedri and Raphinha, while Senegal’s Sadio Mané’s inclusion raised eyebrows. This GhanaWeb feature explores Semenyo’s performance during the season under review and whether his omission was justified. Club Career (Bournemouth) In the 2025/2026 season, Semenyo’s blistering form propelled his move to Manchester City after impressing then-manager Pep Guardiola. He played 20 matches, scored 10 goals, and provided 3 assists, wrapping up 13 goal contributions in the first half of the season. His performances attracted interest from the Citizens, who signed him in a deal worth around £64 million in January 2026, as they battled Arsenal for the Premier League title. Manchester City (Club Career) Semenyo began life at Manchester City on a high, scoring and assisting to strengthen their attacking options. From January to May 2026, he played 23 matches across all competitions, scored 8 goals, and provided 7 assists. Trophies His contributions helped Manchester City clinch both the Carabao Cup and the English FA Cup, securing a domestic double in his maiden season. He also made history as the first Ghanaian player to be named in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year for the 2025/2026 season. Black Stars Semenyo featured prominently for the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, playing in all their matches, including group-stage games against Panama, Croatia, and England. However, Ghana missed out on a place in the Round of 16 after a narrow defeat to Colombia, ending their campaign. Semenyo played between 360 and 414 minutes but failed to register any goal contributions, either a goal or an assist, unlike his club performances. Ballon d’Or Omission Considering his statistics, many argue that Semenyo deserved to be shortlisted to cap off his brilliant season and continue making history. However, his underwhelming performance at the World Cup, a major factor in Ballon d’Or selections, makes his omission less surprising. “We Won’t Allow It!” – Accra Turf Club Chairman Fights to Save Ghana’s Horse Racing Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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