Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí lead 30 player shortlists

almost 2 years in The guardian

Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham also on men’s listMary Earps one of four Lionesses up for women’s awardLionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí head the list of nominees for the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards after leading their nations to World Cup glory. Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka were also included on the men’s shortlist of 30 players for the prize published by the organisers, France Football magazine, on Wednesday.Messi, already a record seven-time winner of the annual prize for world player of the year, is again the favourite. The 36-year-old, who now plays his club football with Inter Miami, was Argentina’s chief inspiration as they triumphed in Qatar last winter, scoring seven goals in the tournament. Continue reading...

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