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LONDON. — Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has criticised what he called Fifa’s political decision not to include former teammate Luis Suarez on their shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or award as the world’s best footballer.

The list, announced earlier this week, had 23 names on it, but not that of the Uruguayan striker, who was banned for four months by Fifa after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June.

He only returned to football last weekend, playing in El Clasico against Real Madrid for Barcelona, whom he had joined from Liverpool for a fee the English club said was 75 million pounds.

“He scored 31 goals and was voted best player in the hardest league in the world,” Gerrard said in an interview with the Daily Mail.

“So you tell me how he’s not on the Ballon d’Or list? Incredible. He should be fighting Cristiano Ronaldo for it. That’s a fact. I can’t believe it but that’s politics in football isn’t it?”

Gerrard, meanwhile, is waiting to open talks with his only club about a new contract.

“I certainly won’t be retiring this summer,” he said.

“I will play beyond this season. We will have to wait and see if that’s at Liverpool or somewhere else. That’s Liverpool’s decision. If they don’t come then I will see what’s out there.’ — AFP.