Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Norwegian Erling Holland and French player Kylian Mbappe are among the main winners of the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player, which is presented annually by the French magazine “France Football”. Published on Wednesday.
Five-time award-winning Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo is not on the shortlist after leaving England’s Manchester United and spending the second half of last season with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nasser.
Messi, who left Paris Saint-Germain this summer to join the American league in defense of Inter Miami’s colours, has the chance to improve on his record behind Frenchman Karim Benzema and win the prestigious award for the eighth time in his illustrious career. , after a long wait, led him to win the World Cup with his country later this year.
Holland looks more likely to compete with the 36-year-old in the race for the award, with the winner to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 30, given his brilliance last season and leading England side Manchester City. He scored 52 goals in 53 matches and won the league, cup and champions league in all competitions.
The former German Borussia Dortmund man was rewarded for his efforts last week by winning the European Union (UEFA) award for the best player on the old continent.
The list of 30 candidates includes Messi’s former team-mate at Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe, who led France to the World Cup final in Qatar and won the title of top scorer at the final, and Holland’s team-mate in the Belgian city, Kevin De Bruyne. , like Benzema, who defended the Spanish Real Madrid colors for 14 years and left this summer. To join the Saudi Al-Ittihad Club.
The list also includes some strong youngsters, including his new team Real Madrid, his compatriot Bugayo Saka, Arsenal star, new St-Germain striker Randall Kolo-Mwani, and Englishman Jude Bellingham, who has been outstanding at the start of the season. Or Bayern Munich’s German winger, Jamal Musiala.
On the women’s side, Aydana Ponmati is the most likely to win the award after her role in leading the Spanish national team to their first World Cup win in Sydney last month against England. European champion in the finals.
The 25-year-old, who won the UEFA Best Player in Europe award last week, played a part in helping her side Barcelona win the Women’s Champions League title. The Catalan club and national team, Alexia Bodias, has won the Golden Ball in the last two years.
Bodias is not on the shortlist after a long spell away from Barcelona as a result of a ruptured cruciate ligament in his knee, which led to his nine-month absence from the field.
Bonmati competes with three of her teammates in the World Cup-winning squad: Olga Carmona, Salma Barulo and Alba Redondo in the final against England, in addition to Barcelona teammates Patricia Guijarro and Mabi Leon. Spain did not take part in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in protest against the confederation. For sports and national team coach Jorge Villeda
The 30-man list includes Australian star Sam Kerr and England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
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