Lionel Messi is in contention to win a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or.
The World Cup winner is vying with ex-Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland for the prestigious award.
Messi is looking to become the first player to win the trophy while playing for a side outside of Europe.
It marks a remarkable turnaround for the 36-year-old who wasn’t even included in the original 30-man shortlist last year.
Messi was his country’s chief inspiration as they triumphed in Qatar last winter, scoring seven goals in the tournament.
He’s up against a number of top players in the world including England stars Jude Bellingham, who has also been nominated for the Kopa Trophy (an award for the elite under-21 players) and Bukayo Saka.
There are SEVEN Manchester City stars on the shortlist with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Julian Alvarez, Rodri and Haaland nominated. Ex-City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who’s now at Barcelona, has also been nominated.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has made the cut as has new Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
There’s also an unexpected nomination for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who along with Messi played a key role in helping Argentina to World Cup glory.
Andre Onana (Manchester United, Ajax)Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, RB Leipzig)Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad, Real Madrid)Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund)Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain)Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)Ruben Dias (Manchester City)Erling Haaland (Manchester City)Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona, Manchester City)Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal, Sevilla)Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain)Rodri (Manchester City)Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich, Napoli)Luka Modric (Real Madrid)Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)Victor Osimhen (Napoli)Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, Tottenham)
Five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, was not nominated for the first time since 2003.
Last year’s winner, Karim Benzema, is also on the list alongside Barcelona hotshot Robert Lewandowski.
England’s Rachel Daly, Georgia Stanway, Millie Bright and Mary Earps are on the shortlist for the women’s award following their run to the World Cup final.
Goalkeeper Earps won the Golden Glove after keeping four clean sheets in the tournament while Daly was also the top scorer in the Women’s Super League last season.
Earps is one of four Lionesses to be nominated for the women’s prize
Aitana Bonmati of champions Spain is widely considered the favourite for the prize but team-mate Olga Carmona, scorer of the winning goal in the final, is also nominated.
Bellingham is also on the shortlist for the men’s young player of the year prize. New Manchester United signing Rasmus Hojlund, of Denmark, and Barcelona trio Gavi, Pedri and Alejandro Balde are also candidates.
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is nominated for goalkeeper of the year along with Martinez. They will face competition from Ederson of Manchester City and United’s former Inter Milan stopper Andre Onana, who is also on the list for the main award.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 30.