The nominations for the 2024 Ballon d’Or have been announced and six players who helped England reach the final of Euro 2024 are among the 30-man shortlist. Captain Harry Kane, midfielders Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice, and forwards Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer are among those in the running for the prestigious award for the best male player of 2024.
Spain and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal who turned 17 during the Euros is also among the nominees. England reached the Euro 2024 final before losing to Spain in Berlin. Manchester City and Arsenal can boast eight players in among the nominees. The two clubs finished first and second respectively in the Premier League 2023/24 season.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi who claimed the prize in 2023 does not make the list. This makes the first time since 2023 that neither the Argentina and Inter Miami star, nor five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo are not among the nominees.
Karim Benzema and Luka Modric are the only other previous recipients that are still playing, with neither of them being in the shortlist. This means that a first-time winner is guaranteed for the first time since Benzema was awarded it.
The Ballon d’Or is voted for by a jury of journalists from each of the top 100 countries among FIFA’s men’s world rankings.
Kobbie Mainoo and his Manchester United teammate Alejandro Garnacho were nominated for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best men’s young player of the year while Aston Villa and Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez was once again shortlisted for the Yashin trophy for the best goalkeeper. The 2022 World Cup winner won the trophy last year.
And for coach of the year, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola was put forward as the Citizens claimed another Premier League title.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 28th October, in Paris.
Image: Hossein Zohrevand
