As a data-driven analyst who's seen too many golden ball votes go to the wrong names, I can tell you this isn't about talent—it's about narrative control. Haaland’s stats scream louder than any trophy. Bayern’s leadership won’t even acknowledge his ORTG dominance, while clubs bury his impact with ritualized politics. This is not football. It’s a calculation error dressed as tradition. I’ve watched it happen. The numbers don’t lie.