Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo failed to receive any votes in the 2022 Ballon d’Or as they finished joint 25th in the annual ranking.
Nunez enjoyed a strong start to the year with former club Benfica and capped off the season by claiming the 2021/22 Primeira Liga golden boot.
His exploits caught the eye of Liverpool who splashed £85million on his signature in the summer. Despite the sizable price tag, Nunez is yet to live up to expectations, having bagged just four goals in 15 competitive outings.
The Uruguay international started Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City on the bench before coming on for the final 20 minutes.
The 23-year-old failed to receive a single vote in the Ballon d’Or. Fortunately for the forward, he wasn’t the only Premier League star to end up last.
Man City full-back Joao Cancelo also finished 25th despite enjoying an encouraging year. The 28-year-old not only helped the Cityzens to a league crown but was also voted in the team of the season.
The Portugal international has started in every game this term, including last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Christopher Nkunku, who has been linked with a Premier League move, also finished without votes.
The RB Leipzig forward has been increasingly linked with Chelsea and Liverpool. The France international enjoyed a sensational season last year, scoring a career high 35 goals in 52 games.
The 24-year-old helped his side to a Europa League semi-final as well as a DFB Pokal triumph in the summer.
Joshua Kimmich was the other Bundesliga player on the list to finish joint-bottom. The Bayern Munich midfielder made 39 appearances for the Bavarians last season as they powered to yet another domestic crown.
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger is the fifth player in the joint-last spot. The German international recently scored a last-gasp equaliser against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Despite his European exploits, the player was benched as Los Blancos powered to El Clasico glory at the weekend. Rudiger did come on in the second-half as his side forced themselves to the top of the La Liga table.
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan rounds off the last-placed gang. The France international made 39 appearances for the club last season as he helped them to a historic Serie A title.
The player arrived at San Siro following a 2021 transfer from French outfit Lille OSC.
READ MORE: Neville bemoans error from ‘frantic’ Liverpool star in win over Man City – ‘it’s not good’
