5 players who deserved to be on the FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlist

This year’s contenders were announced last NovemberPerhaps unsurprisingly, the three men vying for the game’s biggest individual crown are Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Will the Real Madrid superstar retain his crown for a third successive year to make join Messi on four crowns, or will the Argentinian star claim back the title to clinch his fifth overall?Maybe Brazilian star Neymar will confirm his evolution from hot prospect to finished article by breaking the two-man dominance that has gripped the award since 2008. All three men boast genuine credentials for the award, and the fierce battle will continue to be one of the game’s big talking points between now and January’s ceremony.However, those three stars aren’t the only players to have had exceptional years in 2015. Manuel Neuer will have been one name to feature on many people’s shortlists; unfortunately, the fact he couldn’t claim the award in 2014 meant a nomination this year was always going to be unlikely.Nevertheless, there is still a handful of players that could have genuinely been considered. Here are five of the top names to be overlooked.Who else would you have considered for the heralded shortlist? Post your views in the comments.

#5 Arturo Vidal (Juventus / Bayern Munich)

It has been a wonderful year for the midfielder

Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal had spent several years as one of Europe’s second-tier superstars, but 2015 was a year that propelled the 28-year-old to the very highest echelons in both club and international football.

Despite being joined by Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba, Vidal more than matched those two stars as he helped Juventus, and himself, to a fourth successive Serie A crown. His final year in Italy also brought a Coppa Italia crown and was just 90 minutes short of completing what would have been a mind-blowing treble.

Vidal finally moved to Bayern Munich this summer and has settled in superbly at Pep Guardiola’s revolution at the Allianz Arena. The new No. 23 boasts a pass completion ratio of over 91% in Germany and is starting attacking moves with ultimate precision as the Bavarians race towards the Bundesliga crown.

If they continue to play as they have been, the midfielder may even go one step further in Europe to finally lift his first Champions League trophy.

Vidal’s biggest achievement of 2015, however, came on the international stage. He played a starring role as Chile clinched their first ever Copa America crown on home soil, being named Man of the Match in a thrilling final win over Argentina.

It has been a truly remarkable year for the Chilean, and a nomination here would have been the icing on the cake.