Eden Hazard's "insipid performances" for Chelsea over most of 2016 have seen him snubbed from the Ballon d'Or shortlist, says France Football.
France Football released its list of 30 nominees for the 2016 award on Monday -- a list headlined by Real Madrid man Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi -- with the Belgium international conspicuously left out.
The trophy which, in conjunction with FIFA, was awarded to the world's best player between 2010 and 2015 is now under the sole control of the magazine.
And they spelled out their reasons for Hazard's absence.
"If there was only one put forward, it would probably be him," they said of Hazard.
"Seeing Eden Hazard away from this list can be an anomaly. There is nothing in view of [the] insipid performances of the Belgian during most of 2016.
"After 22nd place in 2013, 21st in 2014 and a very nice eighth position last year, Hazard restarts [from] zero."
Also missing from the list was Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, whose omission from France's Euro 2016 squad proved decisive.
"We know why we did not see [him] at the Euro," said France Football. "And his absence in the major competition of the year necessarily weighted the balance."