Twitter Reacts as Barcelona, Real and Bayern Dominate 2015 Ballon d'Or Shortlist

FIFA revealed its shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d'Or in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with clear favourites Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo joined by 21 other pretenders.

"

FIFA name 23-man Ballon d’Or shortlist. https://t.co/BHZmxuw5s2 pic.twitter.com/mJdo0e5wJo

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 20, 2015"

The nominees for FIFA Coach of the Year were also announced, including five domestic champions:

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10 men nominated for FIFA Coach of the Year. https://t.co/BHZmxuw5s2 pic.twitter.com/cbK9ZYTTu8

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 20, 2015"

The player list was predictably dominated by Europe's heavyweights:

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Ballon d'Or nominees by club: 6 Barcelona 5 Bayern 5 Madrid 3 Man City 1 Arsenal 1 Chelsea 1 Juventus 1 Paris MORE: https://t.co/FssUlL1pPz

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 20, 2015"

"

Ballon d'Or nominations: Barcelona - 6 Premier League - 5 pic.twitter.com/5FMwA3lWHC

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) October 20, 2015"

The shortlists ignited familiar controversy and debate across Twitter:

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5 Real Madrid players on the 23-man Ballon d'Or shortlist despite RM winning nothing in 2015. Two from Juventus, a win away from a treble

— Clark Whitney (@Mr_Bundesliga) October 20, 2015"

"

If you need to include Arsene Wenger on the Ballon D'Or coaches list for 2015 (3rd, FA Cup, CL last-16), your list is too long.

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) October 20, 2015"

"

Where are the defenders on the Ballon d'Or shortlist?? Exactly what I was talking about the other night.... https://t.co/Bm6LhVJ91f

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 20, 2015"

"

Shame for Griezmann, he plays for the wrong Madrid to be considered on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, criminal to leave him off

— Simon Dawkins (@simondawkins23) October 20, 2015"

"

Surprised Spanish Dave isn't on the Ballon d'Or list.. Not that anyone but Ronaldo or Messi are winning it! #mufc

— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) October 20, 2015"

Less controversial was the lack of English players among the world's best:

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When you look through the 23-man Ballon d’Or shortlist and then realise there are no English players there. https://t.co/upIIaYx9Jo

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 20, 2015"

But there's always hope for next year:

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The campaign for Jamie Vardy Ballon d'Or 2016 starts here. pic.twitter.com/ng1abJkyMI

— Coral (@Coral) October 20, 2015"

[Twitter]