The 2024 Ballon d’Or Shortlist Includes Six England Stars

The 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist includes six players who played a crucial role in England’s run to the Euro 2024 final. The nominees include England captain Harry Kane, midfielders Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, forwards Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer. They will compete for the prestigious award which honors the best male footballer of the year. Notably, the 17-year-old Spanish and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal also competes as a contender.

England reached the Euro 2024 final but lost 2-1 to Spain on July 14 in Berlin. The Ballon d’Or shortlist features eight players from Manchester City and Arsenal, who finished in the top two positions in the Premier League. For the first time since 2003, the Ballon d’Or list does not include Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi, who won the award in 2023 and Ronaldo a five-time winner, both miss out.

This year’s list also omits Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, the only other active former winners ensuring a first-time Ballon d’Or winner. In addition to the Ballon d’Or, other awards are up for grabs. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have received nominations for the Kopa Trophy which recognizes the best young player.

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez has made the shortlist for the Yashin Trophy awarded to the best goalkeeper which he won last year. Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has also received a nomination for men’s coach of the year after leading his team to another Premier League title.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winners will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 28.