With the Ballon d'Or ceremony taking place in London, Liverpool has been represented by a former star who has managed to tie with an Arsenal ace

Arsenal fans have been left raging at the Ballon d'Or standings for this year, as William Saliba has finished joint-last of those nominated, tied with former Liverpool star Sadio Mane.

It follows a campaign in which the defender was a key part of a team that won the Premier League title, came within a penalty shootout of landing the Champions League, and guided France to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

However, when it came to the voting process for the Ballon d'Or nominees for this year's ceremony, those who got to choose their winner clearly decided he wasn't among the very top players also on the list.

While none of the active Liverpool roster were even nominated, the Reds have been represented in the form of Mane, who continues to feature in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.

The 34-year-old winger has featured 142 times for his club, scoring 53 goals and assisting 40, taking the spotlight in a team that also contains the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in it.

While 29th place is among the lowest he has ranked in his career when nominated, having finished fourth in 2019 and second in 2022, it is still an achievement he will be sure to relish in the latter stages of his time playing.

"Sadio Mane, 29th at the 2026 Ballon d’Or," one Liverpool fan said, congratulating the former star on social media. "It was an honor to have you in the Ballon d’Or, Liverpool legend. Once a Red, always a Red."

That may be quite an achievement for Mane at this point, but for Arsenal fans, it has come as quite the frustrating revelation that he finished in the same place as Saliba after the past season.

The supporters took to social media to air their grievances with the competition for the ranking of Saliba, with a clear consensus that they believe it was the wrong decision.

"Best defender in the world is ranked 29th? What a joke," one fan said in response to the outcome. "Should be higher after the season he had," another said in response.

One supporter listed his achievements, stating: "Rolls Royce can't rank this low. EPL [Premier League] champions, UCL [Champions League] runners-up and semi finalist at the World Cup. Best defence in the league and UCL."

"Most underrated player itw [in the world]," another fan added. It summed up perhaps a feeling that Saliba wasn't quite where his performances reflected, though the voting panel across the world clearly felt differently.

While it remains to be seen who will be crowned as the best player in the world, all eyes will be fixated on the decisions and the final rankings that will come from it.