“There’s always criticism; I try to give it a deaf ear” - Inter Milan star speaks out following Ballon d'Or nomination
Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu chooses to ignore the criticism surrounding his nomination for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Along with stirker Lautaro Martinez, Calhanoglu is the only other outfield Inter player shortlisted for the prestigious award this year, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer being the other Inter nominee.
The 30-year-old Calhanoglu is coming off a superb 2023-24 campaign for the Nerazzurri - contributing 15 goals and three assists in 40 games across competitions. That includes 13 goals and three assists in 32 games in Serie A, where Inter won their second Scudetto in four years.
However, Calhanoglu's first Ballon d'Or nomination hasn't been without criticism. Yet, the Turkey midifelder remains unfazed as he admitted his pride for being nominated for the prestigious award. As per Turkiyetoday, he said:
“There’s always criticism; I try to give it a deaf ear. I don’t want to brag, but this is the first time in 21 years a Turkish player has gotten the nod for the Ballon d’Or, and I’m proud of that. After all, I’m trying to represent my country in the best way possible. That’s always been my goal.”
About his situation at Inter, Calhanoglu added:
“There’ve been offers in recent months but I said I’m staying at Inter and Inter aren’t letting me go. I will try to play at the highest level."
Hakan Calhanoglu is off to a decent start to the current campaign, striking once in three Serie A games.
A first-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to win the award in 2024
The two most successful Ballon d'Or winners - Lionel Messi (eight) and Cristiano Ronaldo (five) - as well as 2018 winner Luka Modric and 2022 victor Karim Benzema didn't make the 30-man cut for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Messi won his record eighth title last year.
The octet are the only active winners of the prestigious award, so their exclusion means a first-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to be crowned in the French capital on October 28.
Among the contenders for the award are Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal and the now-retired Toni Kroos, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo, and Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Rodri.
Some of the other nominees for this year's Ballon d'Or are Martin Odegaard. Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Nco Williams, Mats Hummels, Declan Rice, Granit Xhaka, Emiliano Martinez, Kylian Mbappe and Wiliam Saliba.