"How is he ranked over Palmer?", "Disrespectful" - Fans provide mixed reaction as Bukayo Saka ranked 21st in 2024 Ballon d'Or list
Bukayo Saka's Ballon d'Or ranking has divided fans. Some argue he's too high and think he shouldn't be above Cole Palmer, while others suggest the Arsenal winger is too low.
France Football has released the list of 50 players ranked in this year's Ballon d'Or rankings. Saka came 21st and was one of England's highest-ranked players.
The 23-year-old was excellent for Arsenal last season, registering 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 games across competitions. He was a standout performer as Mikel Arteta's men finished second in the Premier League.
Bukayo Saka was also impressive at Euro 2024, posting one goal and one assist as England finished runners-up. He was one of the competition's in-form wingers in Germany.
The English attacker's 26th placing puts him one spot above national teammate Palmer. The Chelsea winger has been in extraordinary form at Stamford Bridge and posted 25 goals and 15 assists in 46 games across competitions last season.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place tonight (October 28) in Paris, France, and Saka will likely be attending. His England teammate Jude Bellingham is reportedly expected to finish third on the podium.
Bukayo Saka's placing has divided fans, with some believing he shouldn't be as high. One fan alluded to him beating Palmer in the Ballon d'Or race:
"How is he ranked over Palmer?"
Another fan opposed this and felt he should have made the top 10:
"This is disrespectful to Saka... he should at least make top 10."
More fans gave intriguing responses on X (formerly Twitter):
Ballon d'Or 2024: Cole Palmer beat Bukayo Saka to England's Player of the Year award
Bukayo Saka and Palmer are two of English football's gems and look likely to gun it out for the Three Lions' right-wing berth. The Arsenal man was Gareth Southgate's go-to winger at Euro 2024, but that might not be the case under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Palmer won England's Player of the Year award earlier this month. This was despite not establishing himself as a starter in the national team.
Saka congratulated Palmer on his win and explained how he was next to the Chelsea star at the time. He said (via Pulse Sports):
"Credit to Cole (Palmer) for winning Player of the Year. It's a big achievement and he deserves it. I was next to him at the time; his mouth was just open; he couldn't believe it."
Saka won the award in 2023 after flourishing in Southgate's team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was amid a year that saw him again fire Arsenal into a title race with Manchester City, albeit coming up short.