Barcelona striker Luis Suarez believes that he should have been included in the Ballon d’Or shortlist. But the Uruguay international confessed that his actions during this summer’s World Cup merited an omission from the player of the year ballot.
In an interview with the Spanish publication SPORT, Suarez gave his thoughts on who should be the favorite for this year’s trophy, but also questioned the criteria in which the award is based on.
“I’ve always said the best player in the world is Messi for all he has done and all he is doing for football,” the Barcelona striker told SPORT. “In reality, I still don’t know what they base the Ballon d’Or on.”
“To start, I still don’t know for sure if it is from July to June; or January to December. Leo [Messi] to the final of the World Cup, [Manuel] Neuer won it. Cristiano [Ronaldo] won the Champions League, but ended third in La Liga, while Neuer won his league.”
“After so many months with so many goals it’s incredible people don’t make Messi the favorite. What is clear is that there are campaigns in certain places.”
Suarez then went on to comment about his omission from the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
“If the criteria is from July to June, I should be there on merit. But if it includes the World Cup, then maybe I have to admit I don’t deserve to be there because of my actions on the pitch. I still don’t know the criteria for the award, though.”
The Barcelona player was then asked if it hurt missing out on the award after having such a solid 2014 for Liverpool and Uruguay.
“All players want to win the Ballon d’Or and whoever says they don’t is lying,” Suarez confessed. “It’s normal in the life of a football player.”
Barcelona are set to take on Paris Saint-Germain in Matchday Six of the Champions League on Wednesday, with the top spot in Group F still up for grabs.
Suarez was asked about his side’s expectations heading into the must-win match against the French champions – PSG will finish as group winners with a draw or a win.
“Our objective is to come first [in the group]. We have the capacity and the quality to do that. We are the first to know that we have to finish top.”
Programming note: Barcelona v. Paris Saint-Germain will be shown LIVE on FOX Sports 2 at 2:45pm EST on Wednesday
