Southampton fans would admit that their team two years ago was vastly more talented than what they have now, yet not many supporters would have guessed a few of the names in that squad to go as far as they.
Just 48 months on from this match, 3 of our starting 11 have just made the #BallonDor shortlist. #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/5ngujkTltW
— Not Kevin Delvin (@DEVLK) October 21, 2019
France Football yesterday announced via BBC Sport the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, and three former Saints players in the form of Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic, who all enjoyed stellar years with the Liverpool duo winning the Champions League and the Serbian number 10 leading Ajax to a domestic double.
The nominees for the three players, though, resulted in some Saints fans on social media kicking themselves over what used to be at the south coast side, and how the squad was so much better when the trio, along with the likes of Graziano Pelle, were back playing their football at St. Mary’s.
Here’s what some Southampton fans had to say about three of their former players being nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or award…
shows how far we have regressed. The only 3 subs left at the club are all starting every week now. Not good enough to play 4 years ago, key now. What a disaster we are as a club
— Lee Ronan (@Lee__Ronan) October 21, 2019
JUST 48 months pic.twitter.com/n7EsbtEuWB
— Back2Basics (@Back2Ba5ics) October 22, 2019
Why are you doing this to me
— Josh (@HasenhuttlEra_) October 21, 2019
Mané, Tadic and Van Dijk all shortlisted for the Ballon D’Or. Feel sad for Graziano Pellè #saintsfc
— Rational Rich (@Rational_Rich) October 22, 2019
Some fans couldn’t believe how far Southampton have fallen in just two seasons…
Without Gareth Bale, also.
— Tonsillitis Johnson (@LI_Matt) October 21, 2019
The celebration as well… pic.twitter.com/NLRTemRwv9
— Joe (@sfcJoe_) October 21, 2019
“It’s not the club’s fault the players are underperforming!”
Apart from the fact that one of the players #saintsfc could never get the best from has gone on to get himself a Ballon D’or nomination less than a year and a half after leaving. https://t.co/B2VdthauTS
— Ben Parfitt (@BenParfitt) October 21, 2019
Two ex #saintsfc players in the top 5 favourites for the Ballon D’or. Who’d have said that 10 years ago. pic.twitter.com/NFJk7pdZ0E
— Matt Dettmer (@dettmer93) July 30, 2019
After winning the PFA Player of the Year and being influential in Liverpool’s Champions League-winning season, Van Dijk is this year’s favourite for the Ballon d’Or award.
