Nine English players nominated for Ballon dOr awards

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane lead a list of six England players nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or while Lionesses trio Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp were shortlisted for the women’s award.

But eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi – who lifted the men’s award last year – was left off the list along with longstanding rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Shortlists for the respective awards were unveiled by France Football on Wednesday night, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 28.

Bellingham was nominated for the prize after a superb debut campaign with Real Madrid was followed by him helping England reach the Euro 2024 final.

The 21-year-old is joined on a 30-player list by compatriots Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Kane, who scored 44 goals in his debut season with Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Manchester City midfielder Rodri are the early favourites to win the award.

Euro 2024 winners Spain make up a large chunk of those nominated, with Rodri joined by teenage star Lamine Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, new Barcelona signing Dani Olmo and Bayer Leverkusen left-back Alejandro Grimaldo.

Kylian Mbappe is also listed, while there is plenty of Premier League interest with Arsenal duo William Saliba and Martin Odegaard joined by Manchester City rivals Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland.

Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez again makes the shortlist, while London-born Ademola Lookman was also nominated after he inspired Atalanta to Europa League glory in May.

A first-time winner is guaranteed as there was no place for either Messi or Ronaldo, while Karim Benzema and Luka Modric – the only other previous recipients still playing – were also left off the shortlist.

Lionesses trio Bronze, James and Hemp were shortlisted for the women’s award after fine seasons with Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City respectively.

Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw was also on the 30-player list after a stellar campaign along with teammate Yui Hasegawa. Arsenal summer signing Mariona Caldentey and Chelsea pair Sjoeke Nusken and Mayra Ramirez were also nominated.

Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati will be up for the prize after she won the award last year, as will club colleague and two-time winner Alexia Putellas, while Ada Hegerberg, who received the trophy in 2018, also made the shortlist.

New United States manager Emma Hayes faces competition for the women’s coach of the year award from England boss Sarina Wiegman and Chelsea successor Sonia Bompastor.

Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were nominated for the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best men’s young player of the year.

Bellingham won the accolade in 2023, but Mainoo faces competition from Spain’s Euro 2024 winner Yamal and Savinho, who joined Manchester City this summer.

Martinez was again shortlisted for the Yacine Trophy, which he won last year, after he followed up a fine club season with a successful Copa America defence.

Soon-to-be Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, currently of Valencia, is also nominated, but Premier League golden glove winner David Raya was snubbed.

Pep Guardiola was put forward for men’s coach of the year after another Premier League title with Manchester City and a maiden Club World Cup triumph.

Guardiola was joined on the list by Spain boss Luis De la Fuente, Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti.

Published: 04/09/2024 by Radio NewsHub