Is Luis Suarez right to be surprised by Ballon d’Or snub?

Luis Suarez (40/1 with Coral to be Champions League top scorer) may not be everyone’s favourite footballer, but the Uruguay international certainly made his mark on both the Premier League and World Cup last season.

The fearsome forward, now at Barcelona after the Catalan club forked out a reported £65m fee to pair him with fellow superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar, did, however, notably miss out on a Ballon d’Or nomination.

Addressing the issue recently, Suarez said: “Everyone brings it to attention, as Gerard Pique said, and what he told me is that they voted me as the best player in the most difficult league in the world, or one of the most difficult.

“I was also the highest goalscorer of all of the European leagues. But I prefer to keep quiet before saying things because every time that I speak there could be a problem.”

Even former Liverpool clubmate Steven Gerrard has appeared to question the “politics” behind the decision. The former England skipper stated: “I can’t believe it but that’s politics in football isn’t it? He…was top scorer…so you tell me how he’s not on the Ballon D’Or list?”

Suarez did almost propel the Reds to their first Premier League win in 24 years last term, scoring an incredible 31 goals and contributing 24 assists in all competitions. The South American striker’s stats speak for themselves, but the extent of Suarez’s influence on Brendan Rodgers’ Reds has only been truly evident by what they have lacked since he departed.

The 27-year-old was crowned Premier League Player of the Year last campaign, so his subsequent omission from the 23-man Ballon d’Or shortlist was bound to cause controversy.

Even if these nominations were to be dominated by international exploits following an incredible World Cup, Suarez surely deserves a mention. Uruguay’s record-scorer sensationally returned from injury to down England and help his nation into the last 16.

So far, so good for Suarez’s case, until the fiery forward received a four-month ban for an unsavoury incident with Giorgio Chiellani, whom he was adjudged to have bitten during La Celeste’s encounter with Italy.