Ballon d'Or shortlist: Messi, Kante Among 30 Nominees
The English Premier League dominates the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or as no fewer than 14 stars from England’s top flight vie for football’s most prestigious prize.
The award — given to the year’s best footballer — was cancelled last year owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lionel Messi, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have been named on the 30-man shortlist for the men’s 2021 Ballon d’Or award.
Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi ended his wait for a major international trophy when winning the Copa America with Argentina in the summer, while Kante and Jorginho both helped Chelsea win the Champions League.
Kante was UEFA’s Player of the Match in both semi-final legs against Real Madrid, as well as the final against Manchester City, while Jorginho was also integral to Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph.
Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski missed out on the 2020 award, with the 33-year-old widely expected to claim the individual award before it was cancelled by organisers.
Ballon d’Or shortlist
Premier League: Cesar Azpilicueta, Kevin de Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Phil Foden, Jorginho, Harry Kane, N’Golo Kanté, Romelu Lukaku, Riyad Mahrez, Mason Mount, Mohamed Salah, Raheem Sterling
Serie A: Nicolo Barella, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Simon Kjaer, Lautaro Martinez
LaLiga: Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Gerard Moreno, Pedri, Luis Suarez
Ligue 1: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Neymar
Bundesliga: Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski
