It's worth reminding everyone that Lionel Messi was omitted from the Ballon d'Or shortlist, somehow
Messi has taken the snub personally.
Fans are still amazed Lionel Messi was omitted from the 2022 Ballon d'Or shortlist after another scintillating performance for Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentina international wasn't nominated for football's most individual award, handed to Karim Benzema eight days ago, for the first time since 2005.
Messi had a tough debut season with PSG, but many believe he still deserved to make the 30-man shortlist.
In case you were wondering, Messi has taken the snub from France Football seriously.
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He scored once and registered two assists in Saturday's 3-0 win over Ajaccio, proving he's still the ultimate attacker across the pitch.
The 35-year-old turned the style up to 11 in Tuesday evening's 7-2 demolition of Maccabi Haifa.
Messi opened the scoring with an outrageous outside-of-the-boot finish, which whipped away from goalkeeper Josh Cohen.
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar scored to give PSG a 3-0 lead, with Messi assisting Neymar. Maccabi made it 3-1 through Abdoulaye Seck in the 38th minute, but Messi wasn't finished yet.
He bent in a lovely effort just before halftime to make it 4-1 and take his tally for the season to 11.
Seck grabbed his second of the game just after the break before Christophe Galtier's side demolished the away side.
Mbappe registered a brace before a Sean Goldberg own goal and Carlos Soler's drive, assisted by Messi, completed the route.
It was the Messi show once again and supporters are still perplexed as to why he was snubbed for the Ballon d'Or.
One person said: "Worth reminding everyone people thought this guy didn't deserve to be on the shortlist."
A second added: "Messi has already started his 2023 Ballon d'Or charge after the disgrace of this year."
Someone commented: "Messi having 50 G/A in 2022 (2nd most) and not being nominated for the Ballon d'Or has to be the biggest joke ever."
While a fourth put: "The charge to number eight starts now."
It's worth noting that France Football altered the rules for the Ballon d'Or in 2022.
The award is no longer handed to the player with the strongest calendar year but to the player with the strongest season.
Benzema won the award after netting 44 goals in 46 games while helping Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory.
Could 2023 be the year Messi reclaims his throne? If he has a strong World Cup, you never know.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain, Champions League
Daniel Marland