The likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk will today learn whether they are in the running for the most prestigious individual prize in football, as the 2019 Ballon d’Or shortlist is announced.
Luke Modric was crowned the winner last year – ending the ten-year stranglehold Messi and Ronaldo held over the award. But could Van Dijk become the first Premier League player since Ronaldo in 2008 to take home the prize?
Join us as we countdown to the announcement of the 30-man shortlist, bringing you all the latest news and reaction from around Europe. Follow the latest updates below:
Robert Lewandowski
Still maintaining a relentless goalscoring streak at 31 years old and thriving in a leadership role in a Bayern side in transition. Perhaps Europe’s most prolific striker and capable of scoring every type of goal.
Kylian Mbappe
The magnetism of Mbappe hasn’t faded since France’s World Cup victory, scoring 33 goals in 29 games as PSG stormed to the Ligue 1 title.
N’Golo Kante
Running ceaselessly across the midfield in a box-to-box role, offering a new vein of attacking threat under Maurizio Sarri, Kante again proved why he’s the best midfielder of his ilk as Chelsea won the Europa League.
Roberto Firmino
Selfless at times but also key in sprinkling the final touches to Liverpool’s moves when necessary. Gorgeous technique and the movement to enable Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to thrive.
Dusan Tadic
Shining as a false nine and delivering insane production for Dutch giants Ajax. Maybe the key piece in their Champions League run, 47 goals and 34 assists since the start of last season.
Frenkie de Jong
Maybe the finest midfielder of the last 12 months, fearless on the ball for Ajax, no matter the moment, while also fundamental to a resurgent Netherlands. Barcelona have the premier midfielder of the next decade.
Eden Hazard
In a topsy-turvy final season at Chelsea, under Maurizio Sarri, Hazard carried an often chaotic side on his shoulders, scoring 21 goals and adding 17 assists in all competitions as the Blues won the Europa League, before finally sealing his summer move to Real Madrid.
Alisson
The Brazilian established himself as arguably the best ball-playing goalkeeper in the world, making a series of crucial saves – none more so than against Napoli – as Liverpool clinched a sixth European Cup.
Mo Salah
Relentlessly effective cutting in off the right-wing, Salah scored 27 goals in all competitions as Liverpool lifted the Champions League and chased down Man City to the final game of the Premier League season.
Raheem Sterling
Man City’s standout player in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, scoring 17 goals and adding 12 assists as Pep Guardiola’s side clinched a third Premier League title, as well as an FA and EFL Cup.
Bernardo Silva
Integral to Manchester City, having helped fill the void left by the injured Kevin De Bruyne, while also an inspiration for Portugal to win the Nations League. A complete player who refuses to hide in the big moments and always makes his teammates better.
Sadio Mane
The understated partner to Mohamed Salah, yet quietly the more impressive over the 2018/19 season. Mane scored 22 goals in the Premier League, starred in Liverpool’s Champions League win, and guided Senegal to the final of the African Cup of Nations.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The fears over whether Ronaldo’s talents would fade beyond Madrid were quickly extinguished, scoring 21 goals in 31 games as Juventus cantered to the Serie A title, before inspiring Portugal’s Nations League victory in the summer.
Virgil van Dijk
The undisputed talisman of Liverpool’s Champions League win, and the club’s relentless title charge. The centre-back played every league game and lifted a formidable side like no few other players in Europe have managed.
Lionel Messi
As mercurial and peerless as ever, Messi scored 36 goals and added 15 assists as Barcelona clinched La Liga, as well as 12 goals in 10 games during the club’s run to the Champions League semi-final.
It seems likely that this year’s Ballon d’Or will be between Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk. But there are plenty of others who will hope to make the top 30.
We’ll run you through some of the names here…
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today’s 2019 Ballon d’Or shortlist announcement.
When is the 2019 Ballon d’Or?
The ceremony will take place on December 2 2019.
Where is it held?
The 2019 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place at the Theatre du Chatelet, in Paris.
When will the shortlist be announced?
France Football will announce their 30-man shortlist this evening.
They will announce 5 players to make the shortlist every 15 minutes from 5pm.
