Bruno Fernandes makes statement after missing out on Ballon d’Or as ex-Man Utd star shortlisted

Bruno Fernandes has not been named in the 2025 Ballon d’Or list, but one of his former Manchester United team-mates did make the cut for the prestigious award after a standout season

Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has congratulated former team-mate Scott McTominay for his Ballon d’Or nomination. Fernandes, 30, was not included in the exclusive list after United’s poor campaign last season.

The best part of a year ago, McTominay parted ways with the Red Devils to move to Napoli. He instantly adapted to life in Serie A and quickly made a big impression on Antonio Conte.

The Scot ended the campaign with 13 goals and six assists in 36 appearances in all competitions, as Napoli stormed to the Scudetto. His stellar performances earned him a place him among the elite of world football.

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He will be competing for the prize alongside Treble-winning Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele, 17-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, ex-Leeds United star Raphinha, and many other top talents.

McTominay’s exit at United was orchestrated by ex-boss Erik ten Hag as part of a strategy to raise funds for a new central midfielder. United made a tidy sum of £25.7m in pure profit from the sale of the Scottish international.

That was put towards the signing of Manuel Ugarte, who arrived from PSG for £42.1m with potential add-ons of £8.4m, but the sale of McTominay now looks like a big error of judgement.

Despite missing out on the nomination, Fernandes showed his class by posting a personal congratulations to McTominay.

He uploaded a post from the official Ballon d’Or Instagram account with the caption: “Buzzing for you my friend.”

McTominay is set to find out where he ranks among the world’s best at the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled for September 22 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

Despite his exit from Old Trafford, McTominay, during a recent interview at Wimbledon, showed no animosity to his former side.

He said: “I always want the absolute best for Manchester United, it’s been my life for 22-23 years. For me, I wish the club all the success in the world and I’ll be with them every step of the way. I want them to do well.”

In another interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, he admitted his move to Naples was a huge step in his career and life. He said: “It gives you more mental strength. I’ve always lived very close to my mum, so I could go whenever I wanted.

“Now I live 1,500 miles away so I can’t just go home and see my mum, my family, my sister and my kids so it’s different. But in life you sometimes have to take yourself out of your comfort zone and I’ve always prided myself on that.

“I would never want to be in my comfort zone, and if I can go away anywhere and establish myself and do well, why not? Who’s to stop me doing that?”

While McTominay won Serie A, United endured a miserable campaign which saw them finish 15th. Their one chance of redemption in the Europa League also saw them lose 1-0 in the final to Tottenham Hotspur, ruling out any chance of them qualifying for Europe.

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