In September, FIFA handed out it’s ‘The Best’ prize for the men’s best footballer, awarding it to Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric.
But since 1956, the biggest individual prize has always been the Ballon d’Or.
Dominated in the last decade by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – the duo winning all 10 of the last awards – the Golden Ball is once more on offer in Paris on December 3.
The 30-man shortlist for the prize is announced throughout the day on Monday.
First won by Sir Stanley Matthews, the list is compiled by the editorial staff of the French publication France Football, with the winner voted for by journalists from around the world, with one representative per nation.
Here’s the full list of nominees…
Full 30-man shortlist
GARETH BALE (Real Madrid)
The Wales international scored a stunning double in the Champions League final as Real Madrid made it three successive European Cup victories.
SERGIO AGUERO (Manchester City)
Argentine striker Aguero top scored for Pep Guardiola’s side as they claimed the Premier League and League Cup last term, bagging 30 goals in 39 games. Has added eight in 11 so far this season.
ALISSON BECKER (Liverpool)
The Brazil No.1 reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup and the semi-finals of the Champions League with Roma, before completing a £67million transfer to Liverpool in the summer.
KARIM BENZEMA (Real Madrid)
The 30-year-old forward was again a key man in Real Madrid’s success last term, scoring 12 and assisting 11 in his 47 games.
EDINSON CAVANI (Paris Saint-Germain)
The Uruguayan scored 40 times in 48 games for the French champions on their way to domestic dominance, while he also impressed at the World Cup as La Celeste reached the last eight. Another six goals in eight games for PSG so far this term.
THIBAUT COURTOIS (Real Madrid)
The Belgian international won the Golden Glove at the World Cup after starring during Belgium’s run to the bronze medal.
CRISTIANO RONALDO (Juventus)
Real Madrid’s all-time record goalscorer and last year’s Ballon d’Or holder, Ronaldo won a fifth Champions League crown in 2018 before leaving Los Blancos in an £89million move to Juventus.
The 33-year-old has scored four goals and registered five assists in nine games for the Bianconeri so far.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Manchester City)
The Belgian shone during the World Cup after an outstanding season for Manchester City, starring as they reached 100 points in the Premier League.
ROBERTO FIRMINO (Liverpool)
Brazilian international Firmino was at the heart of Liverpool’s excellent run to last season’s Champions League final.
In 2017-18 he scored 27 goals and registered 17 assists for the Reds in 54 matches – an excellent return.
DIEGO GODIN (Atletico Madrid)
The no-nonsense defender continues to epitomise Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side and captained them to Europa League success.
Also led Uruguay to a World Cup quarter-final, ultimately losing to winners France.
More to follow…
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