Lionel Messi is a favorite to win the Ballon d’Or again.
After helping Argentina win the World Cup, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or for men.
The 30-man shortlist for the award, which was announced by the organizers France Football on Wednesday, also includes notable names like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka.
The annual award for the best player in the world has already gone to Messi a record-tying seven times, and he is the favorite once more this year.
The 36-year-old, who currently competes for Inter Miami in club football, served as the main motivation for his nation’s victory in Qatar last winter, scoring seven goals in the process.
One of seven players from the successful Manchester City team to make the list is Haaland, who scored an astounding 52 goals for the treble-winning team last season.
There were also former captain Ilkay Gundogan, who is now playing for Barcelona, Julian Alvarez, Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva.
After scoring 40 goals for club and country before leaving Tottenham for Bayern Munich, England’s captain Harry Kane is recognized. Bellingham, an ex-Real Madrid player, and Saka, an Arsenal player, were Bellingham’s teammates in England and both had successful campaigns.
Emi Martinez, a goalkeeper for Aston Villa who won the World Cup, Mohamed Salah, a forward for Liverpool, and Martin Odegaard, a player for Arsenal, are other notable players who are in the Premier League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, was not nominated for the first time since 2003.
After helping England reach the World Cup final, Rachel Daly, Georgia Stanway, Millie Bright, and Mary Earps are among the contenders for the women’s award.
Daly was also the top scorer in the Women’s Super League last season, but goalkeeper Earps won the Golden Glove after keeping four clean sheets during the competition.
Although teammate Olga Carmona, who scored the game-winning goal in the championship game, is also up for the award, Aitana Bonmati of champions Spain is generally regarded as the favorite.
In contention for the award for the best young player in men’s basketball is Bellingham.
Danish national Rasmus Hojlund, who recently joined Manchester United, and the Barcelona trio of Gavi, Pedri, and Alejandro Balde are other contenders.
Along with Martinez, Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal is up for goalkeeper of the year.
Both Manchester City’s Ederson and Andre Onana, a former Inter Milan goalie who is also nominated for the top prize, will be challenging them for the prize.
At a ceremony on October 30 in Paris, the winners will be declared.
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