STATS: Why Hasn't Rooney Been Nominated For Ballon d'Or?

Whilst not Wayne Rooney’s biggest fan at the moment, I was shocked to find his name not even amongst the nominations for Ballon d’Or this season. Just a few months ago, he was being tipped as a potential winner, but after a disappointing World Cup campaign, his name has been omitted from the shortlist.

If Rooney was alone in performing badly at the World Cup, that would make more sense, but nominees Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o hardly set the competition alight either.

But an impressive season in the league, domestic competitions and Europe counts for nothing apparently.

In the calender year of 2010, Rooney has scored the winning goal in the League Cup final, scored 4 goals in 2 games against AC Milan, scored 4 goals in one Premiership game, and scored against eventual finalists, Bayern Munich, in the quarter finals. Yet none of that warrants even a nomination?

In contrast, Miroslav Klose achieved nothing with Bayern Munich during the season, yet scored 4 goals in the World Cup, so makes the shortlist. It’s interesting to compare Rooney’s season with other players who have been nominated.

Wayne Rooney
League: 26 goals in 32 appearances
Europe: 5 goals in 7 appearances
Cup: 2 goals in 4 appearances
Other: 1 goal in 1 appearance
Total: 34 goals in 44 appearances
World Cup goals: 0

Cristiano Ronaldo
League: 26 goals in 29 appearances
Europe: 7 goals in 6 appearances
Cup: 0 appearances
Total: 33 goals in 35 appearances
World Cup goals: 1

David Villa
League: 21 goals in 32 games
Europe: 7 goals in 11 games
Cup: 0 goals in 2 appearances
Total: 28 goals in 42 appearances
World Cup goals: 5

Samuel Eto’o
League: 12 goals in 32 appearances
Europe: 2 goals in 12 appearances
Cup: 2 goals in 3 appearances
Total: 15 goals in 47 appearances
World Cup goals: 2

Miroslav Klose
League: 3 goals in 25 appearances
Europe: 1 goal in 8 appearances
Cup: 2 goals in 5 appearances
Total: 6 goals in 38 appearances
World Cup goals: 4