Did you see the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominations? Yes, we are surprised too! While a few turned out to be unexpected additions, others shockingly failed to make the cut. Even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi aren’t on the list for the first time in 21 years. But you might want to focus on an even more shocking omission of the star defender, Naomi Girma, the one Emma Hayes described as “the best I’ve ever seen.”

The US Women’s National Team center-back was one of the most important pieces of Hayes’ team in the Summer Games. Having played all six games in the tournament to help her side win the gold in Paris, the 24-year-old shockingly missed the list of Ballon d’Or Feminin nominees. Luckily, her few national teammates did manage to see their names. Triple Espresso, a.k.a, the trio of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith are on the list for obvious reasons.

The Star and Stripes ft. ladies’ forward line dominated throughout the tournament, having scored 12 goals combined. Joining the attacking trio is Lindsey Horan, who was given the armband to lead her teammates. Also, how could we forget the real savior of the USWNT backline? Veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was the fifth Team USA player to get her name on the Ballon d’Or Feminin nominations. She had successfully kept four clean sheets and conceded just two goals throughout the Olympics campaign.

The rest of the top 30 list included several revered names from women’s soccer. For starters, the trio of Lauren James, Lucy Bronze, and Lauren Hemp represent England. Additionally, the 2023 World Cup winner with Spain and Barcelona forward Aitana Bonmati also makes the list to defend her last year’s win of the same award. Keeping aside James and Bronze from Emma Hayes‘ former club, Germany’s Sjoeke Nusken, and Colombia’s Mayra Ramirez complete the list from Chelsea.

Other notable names include Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa and Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey. Meanwhile, Emma Hayes will be competing for the Best Women’s Coach award against England boss Sarina Wiegman and Blues successor Sonia Bompastor. The new USWNT manager’s former WSL club is also running for the best club award alongside Barcelona, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Lyon, and PSG.

While it’s remarkable that a lot of entities are from America, many are still not over the fact that Naomi Girma was snubbed. They can’t help but express their anger on the nominations.

Soccer world tears apart Ballon d’Or Feminin nominations over Naomi Girma snub

Soon after the Ballon d’Or Feminin nominations came out, the list was shared by CBS Sports Golazo on Instagram, which of course drew some fiery reactions from the netizens.

“She’s got everything: poise, composure, she defends, she anticipates, she leads,” this is what Emma Hayes had to say about the USWNT center-back. Yet, somehow, the best player to guard the backline isn’t nominated for the awards. This fan rather demands an explanation from the Ballon d’Or stakeholders to exactly know where they rate Girma if she didn’t even make it to the top 30:

“To say that Naomi Girma is not in the world’s top 30 or more specifically, didn’t have one of the best 30 seasons this past year is absolutely ridiculous and insane. It decreases the legitimacy of this award.”

Having Triple Espresso was indeed expected but so was Girma. While subtly questioning the presence of Naeher, this fan has an explanation of why the center-back had to be on the nomination list:

“WHERE IS NAOMI GIRMA??? This list is BS without her. No shade to Alyssa Naeher (maybe a little), she “seems” much better when she plays for the national team. The national team is likely playing better teams, yet she only gave up 1 goal in 6 games at the Olympics, but in 16 NWSL games this year she has given up 22 goals. Still great, but nothing compared to how she performs with Girma in front of her.”

Here’s some more praise from Hayes about Girma; “I’ve never seen a player as good as her at the back.” Somewhere, it made sense that the defender, who has a holy grail spot in the eyes of her national team coach, should at least make the cut for the prestigious award:

“I want to cry for Naomi Girma, she deserves to be here.”

Again bringing Hayes’ words, one shall also consider that such high acclaim comes from a coach who hadn’t spent more than two months with the US Women’s National Team and enjoyed 12 years at Chelsea, watching other remarkable players at the WSL. Yet, Girma is nowhere to be found, forcing this netizen to unleash fury on the Ballon d’Or organization:

“The Girma snub is the most brainless move from a soccer org this year and that’s in a year full of them!!”

American fans seem happy to see the names of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith. A similar can be said about Alyssa Naeher, but the goalkeeper did get some shade from fans. Interestingly, another addition that a few are questioning is Lindsey Horan. This fan can’t digest about the presence of the USWNT skipper over Girma:

“Lindsey being on here and not Girma is a crime.”

Well, the negative reactions over the absence of Girma hadn’t stopped there as these were just a glimpse of it. Either way, it’s clear that American fans wanted to have their best defender get nominated for the Ballon d’Or Feminin, even if someone else would have won it. Perhaps only a USWNT player winning this golden trophy might make up for Naomi Girma’s absence. For now, let us know your thoughts as well in the comments.