Paolo Maldini said the Ballon d’Or “has lost credibility” under FIFA and it’s “absurd” to exclude Gigi Buffon.

The Juventus captain’s absence from the long-list of candidates has infuriated the football world beyond Italy’s borders too and today Demetrio Albertini promised to “vote for him anyway as a write-in candidate.”

Italy legend Maldini spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about this remarkable snub.

Paolo Maldini said the Ballon d’Or “has lost credibility” under FIFA and it’s “absurd” to exclude Gigi Buffon.

The Juventus captain’s absence from the long-list of candidates has infuriated the football world beyond Italy’s borders too and today Demetrio Albertini promised to “vote for him anyway as a write-in candidate.”

Italy legend Maldini spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about this remarkable snub.

“Let’s say that after reading some of the other names in there… Really, how on earth was this possible? I can’t understand what parameters are used for these choices. It’s absurd.

“There are players who are in there purely for name recognition, but even then Gigi would’ve deserved it just for what he’s done in the past.

“At the age of 38, he’s still one of the three best goalkeepers in the world. Neuer and Courtois, ok, but Bravo? Ospina? Gigi was one of the pillars of a Juventus side that won the Scudetto and Coppa Italia, then reached the Champions League Final. Did they see his save on Dani Alves in Berlin?

“Unfortunately, it’s an award that depends on FIFA now and therefore we can figure out why this happened… In the past strange things happened when it was under France Football, now it’s even worse.

“If you have to worry about pleasing certain clubs or Federations, then the award loses credibility.”

The Ballon d’Or used to be voted for by journalists from all over Europe, run by publication France Football, but was merged with the FIFA Player of the Year Award in 2010.

“I cannot forget that Sepp Blatter didn’t hand over the World Cup trophy to Italy in 2006,” continued Maldini.

“I want to hope there’s no snub towards Italian football and it was just a ‘normal’ thing with the way FIFA are run today. They’ve done worse, after all.

“I don’t think it’s a personal thing against Gigi, as he’s always been an example on the field and off. Relaxed, smiling even after defeats, sporting in his analysis of the games.

“I also hope he shrugs this off. It’s an absurd decision that should leave him indifferent.

“I hope Buffon can play in the 2018 World Cup, his sixth edition, as that would be perhaps an eternal record. If his mind and body hold up, then we’ll see Gigi in Russia too.

“Many years ago I told Gigi he’d beat the record of Italy appearances and he said it wouldn’t happen because he’d retire at the age of 30.

“I urged him to wait before saying that, as he’d discover he was still having fun and would continue. Besides, after the age of 30 you deal with stress and pressure better.”

Maldini famously never received the Ballon d’Or despite many considering him to be one of the greatest defenders of all time.

“I wasn’t upset, as it was never one of my objectives. It’s difficult for a defender, as the strikers tend to win these awards and it puts the work that goes into these goals in the background.

“I did not cry at missing out on the Ballon d’Or, but I would’ve cried if Milan had lost the Champions League Final in 2003.”

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