Lionel Messi and Neymar have missed out on a Ballon d’Or nomination this year – but Cristiano Ronaldo made the cut.
The Paris Saint-Germain attackers did not make the grade on the 30-man shortlist after the club endured a disappointing campaign last season. Messi, formerly of Barcelona, has not been left off of a Ballon d'Or shortlist since 2005. During this point, he’s won the award seven times.
But Ronaldo, who was Manchester United’s top scorer last season, found himself on the list as he looks to equal Messi's tally having already lifted the trophy on six occasions.
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France Football's ceremony on Friday provided some big shocks but the Portugal international was recognised for his achievements at United last campaign. The club endured a torrid season under the wing of Ralf Rangnick and one of their star men throughout was Ronaldo who managed to find the net 24 times in all competitions.
Elsewhere, Karim Benzema, considered the favourite to eventually win the whole thing, featured. The Frenchman’s brilliant form helped Real Madrid clinch the Champions League title last season.
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Kevin De Bruyne, Sadio Mane and Kylian Mbappe also were nominated. Meanwhile, Son Heung-min joins Tottenham partner Harry Kane – making for 17 Premier League players included in this list.
Nominees in full
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Vinicius Jnr (Real Madrid)
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Fabinho (Liverpool)
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich)
Sebastian Haller (Borussia Dortmund)
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