Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
France Football magazine announced the 30-man shortlist for the men's Ballon d'Or award. The list includes nine players from Paris Saint-Germain, who achieved the treble this season, along with the team's coach, Luis Enrique.
The nine players from Paris Saint-Germain are: Ousmane Dembélé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Desire Doué, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Fabian Ruiz, and Vitina.
Ousmane Dembélé scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists in all competitions, contributing significantly to his team's Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and Champions League triumphs, as well as their runner-up finish in the Club World Cup after losing to Chelsea. According to what was published by the European news network Euronews in Brussels on Friday, it added, "Among the other nominated players are Barcelona's Raphinha (34 goals, 25 assists), Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (34 goals, 23 assists), who was named the Premier League Player of the Season, and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (34 goals, 5 assists).
Scott McTominay, the Napoli player who led his team to the Italian league title, was also nominated, becoming the first Scot to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 38 years.
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's player (18 goals, 25 assists), was also selected. He was also nominated for the Copa Trophy for the best player under 21 years of age, an award he won last year.
Women's Ballon d'Or
Five English players were nominated for the Women's Ballon d'Or after winning the Euros: goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Alyssa Russo, Chloe Kelly, and Leah Williamson. Martha, who came out of retirement to lead Brazil to the Women's Copa América title at the age of 39, is also nominated.
Best Coach Nominees
Luis Enrique, coach of Paris Saint-Germain, is nominated for Best Coach after leading the team to a treble this season. Also nominated are Enzo Maresca, who led Chelsea to the Club World Cup title, and Arne Slot, coach of Liverpool, who won the Premier League title in his first season in charge.
Women's nominees include Sonia Bombasto, who won the domestic treble with Chelsea, René Slegers, who won the Champions League with Arsenal for the second time, and Sarina Wiegman, who helped England retain their Euro title.
Ballon d'Or Nominees
Men: Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Desire Douwe, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Victor Ghekeres, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappé, Scott McTominay, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Michael Olise, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabian Ruiz, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Vinicius Junior, Vitina, Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal.
Women: Sandy Baltimore, Barbara Banda, Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Clara Powell, Mariona Caldente, Sofia Kantouri, Steph Catley, Temwa Chawinga, Melchi Dumornay, Emily Fox, Cristina Girelli, Esther Gonzalez, Caroline Graham-Hansen, Hannah Hampton, Pernille Harder, Patri Guijarro, Amanda Gutierrez, Lindsay Hebbs, Chloe Kelly, Frida Leonhardsen-Mannum, Martha, Clara Mateo, Ewa Bayor, Claudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alyssa Russo, Johanna Rettig-Kannered, Caroline Weir, and Leah Williamson.
Men's Club of the Year
Paris Saint-Germain, along with Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Botafogo, are nominated for the Men's Club of the Year award, while Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Olympique Lyonnais, and Orlando Pride are nominated for the Women's Club of the Year award.
For the Yachine Award for Best Goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, Yassine Bounou, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Thibaut Courtois are nominated, along with Emiliano Martinez and Jan Oblak.
For the Copa Trophy for Best Under-21 Player, Ayoub Bouadi, Pau Coparsi, Desire Douwe, Estevao, and Miles Lewis-Skelly are nominated, along with João Neves and Lamine Yamal.