Greatest XI that missed out on the 2021 Ballon d'Or shortlist

Right midfielder: Federico Chiesa (Juventus)

Chiesa deserved to be on the Ballon d'Or list this year

Another Italian superstar to have been snubbed from the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist this year, Federico Chiesa was an absolute revelation last season. In a dwindling Juventus side, Chiesa led by example, accumulating 26 goal involvements in his debut campaign with the Bianconeri.

He even featured in seven games for Italy at Euro 2020, grabbing two goals on his way to the title. The young prodigy is already eyed as the future of Italian football, possessing immense potential. Considering his massive contributions at the young age of 23, Chiesa is among the most unlucky players not to receive a Ballon d'Or nomination in 2021. However, with age on his side, there is no doubting Chiesa's chances of being in the running for the award in the future.

---

Left midfielder: Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)

Manchester United v Atalanta: Group F - UEFA Champions League

Jadon Sancho's weary start to life at Old Trafford might convince people that leaving him out on the Ballon d'Or shortlist was justified. However, the Englishman's performances at Manchester United barely scratched the surface of his 2021 form.

In a high-flying Borussia Dortmund side, Sancho was the chief creator, despite his tender age. The 21-year-old playmaker amassed 26 goal contributions, for both club and country, in the first-half of 2021, rendering his Ballon d'Or snub completely baseless. It will be interesting to see how he performs at Old Trafford after struggling to settle so far.

---

Striker: Ciro Immobile (Lazio)

Immobile has rediscovered his goalscoring form with Lazio

In 2020, Ciro Immobile became the first player, not contracted to a Spanish club, to win the European Golden Boot since 2008. The Italian striker effortlessly carried his 2020 form into the following year, scoring 25 goals last season. Having been labeled a failure due to his underwhelming spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla, the 31-year-old forward is now in the prime of his professional career.

At the time of writing, Immobile already has seven goals in as many Serie A games. To add a cherry on top, he contributed with two goals and an assist in Italy's victory at Euro 2020. Still, Immobile failed to make the preliminary Ballon d'Or shortlist and he might feel a little hard done by it.

---