Liverpool’s Champions League winners dominate the nominations for the Ballon d’Or after seven of Jurgen Klopp’s men were included on the 30-man shortlist.
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defenders Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and strikers Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all featured amongst the candidates when they were announced by France Football and L’Equipe on Monday evening.
In all, 15 Premier League-based players were named alongside five-times winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Manchester City quintet Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez made the list, as did Tottenham duo Hugo Lloris and Son Heung-min, while there was a place too for Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
There were also four spots for Barcelona players Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie De Jong, Antoine Griezmann and Messi, while Ronaldo was joined by Juventus team-mate Matthijs De Ligt, who was nominated for the young players’ award too.
Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema were Real Madrid’s only representatives, while World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe and Brazilian defender Marquinhos made it for Paris St Germain.
1/30 30. Aubameyang
The Arsenal striker has been in consistent goalscoring form since joining the Gunners.
Reuters
2/30 29. Lloris
No, we’re not sure why either.
Action Images via Reuters
3/30 28. Felix
The supremely talented youngster has made a bright start at Atletico Madrid.
Getty
4/30 27. Marquinhos
The Brazilian is one of the best defenders in the world and helped PSG to yet another title.
Getty Images
5/30 26. Mahrez
A strange inclusion, considering he was not always starting games for Manchester City last season, albeit an undoubtedly talented player.
Getty
6/30 25. Aguero
Sergio Aguero remains one of the most potent goalscorers in world football, and was Manchester City’s top scorer as they won the Premier League.
Getty
7/30 24. Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The goalkeeper has become one of the best in the world at Barcelona.
Bongarts/Getty Images
8/30 23. Van de Beek
The Ajax midfielder had a supreme season as the club won the Eredevisie and reached the Champions League semi-final.
Getty Images
9/30 22. Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a revelation, creating goals regularly from right-back in a stunning season.
REUTERS
10/30 21. Benzema
Still scoring regularly for Real Madrid, a player who has never got the credit he deserves.
Getty Images
11/30 20. Son
One of the Premier League’s best forwards over the past two years who helped propel Tottenham to the Champions League final.
Getty Images
12/30 19. Wijnaldum
The midfielder had an impressive campaign in the centre of Liverpool’s team as they won the Champions League.
PA
13/30 18. Koulibaly
A rock at the back for Napoli and one of Europe’s most well-rounded defenders. Has been repeatedly linked with big money moves to the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United.
REUTERS
14/30 17. Griezmann
As consistent as ever for Atletico Madrid before his summer move to Barcelona, where he has started the season impressively, scoring four goals and providing three assists in eight La Liga appearances.
Getty Images
15/30 16. De Ligt
A dominant centre-back with quality to match, though the transition at Juventus has so far been tough. Yet he led a young Ajax team superbly and forms one half of the finest centre-back partnership in international football alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Getty Images
16/30 15. De Bruyne
Injuries have stemmed his progress, but he is back now and hitting his previous heights. A devastating player able to break games open or control them.
PA
17/30 14. 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.
AFP via Getty Images
18/30 13. 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.
Icon Sport via Getty Images
19/30 12. 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.
Getty Images
20/30 11. 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.
Getty Images
21/30 10. 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.
AP
22/30 9. 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.
Getty Images
23/30 8. 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.
Getty Images
24/30 7. 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.
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
25/30 6. 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.
AFP via Getty Images
26/30 5. 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.
Getty Images
27/30 4. 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.
Getty Images
28/30 3. 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.
Juventus FC via Getty Images
29/30 2. 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.
Getty Images
30/30 1. 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.
EPA
1/30 30. Aubameyang
The Arsenal striker has been in consistent goalscoring form since joining the Gunners.
Reuters
2/30 29. Lloris
No, we’re not sure why either.
Action Images via Reuters
3/30 28. Felix
The supremely talented youngster has made a bright start at Atletico Madrid.
Getty
4/30 27. Marquinhos
The Brazilian is one of the best defenders in the world and helped PSG to yet another title.
Getty Images
5/30 26. Mahrez
A strange inclusion, considering he was not always starting games for Manchester City last season, albeit an undoubtedly talented player.
Getty
6/30 25. Aguero
Sergio Aguero remains one of the most potent goalscorers in world football, and was Manchester City’s top scorer as they won the Premier League.
Getty
7/30 24. Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The goalkeeper has become one of the best in the world at Barcelona.
Bongarts/Getty Images
8/30 23. Van de Beek
The Ajax midfielder had a supreme season as the club won the Eredevisie and reached the Champions League semi-final.
Getty Images
9/30 22. Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a revelation, creating goals regularly from right-back in a stunning season.
REUTERS
10/30 21. Benzema
Still scoring regularly for Real Madrid, a player who has never got the credit he deserves.
Getty Images
11/30 20. Son
One of the Premier League’s best forwards over the past two years who helped propel Tottenham to the Champions League final.
Getty Images
12/30 19. Wijnaldum
The midfielder had an impressive campaign in the centre of Liverpool’s team as they won the Champions League.
PA
13/30 18. Koulibaly
A rock at the back for Napoli and one of Europe’s most well-rounded defenders. Has been repeatedly linked with big money moves to the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United.
REUTERS
14/30 17. Griezmann
As consistent as ever for Atletico Madrid before his summer move to Barcelona, where he has started the season impressively, scoring four goals and providing three assists in eight La Liga appearances.
Getty Images
15/30 16. De Ligt
A dominant centre-back with quality to match, though the transition at Juventus has so far been tough. Yet he led a young Ajax team superbly and forms one half of the finest centre-back partnership in international football alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Getty Images
16/30 15. De Bruyne
Injuries have stemmed his progress, but he is back now and hitting his previous heights. A devastating player able to break games open or control them.
PA
17/30 14. 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.
AFP via Getty Images
18/30 13. 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.
Icon Sport via Getty Images
19/30 12. 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.
Getty Images
20/30 11. 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.
Getty Images
21/30 10. 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.
AP
22/30 9. 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.
Getty Images
23/30 8. 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.
Getty Images
24/30 7. 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.
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
25/30 6. 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.
AFP via Getty Images
26/30 5. 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.
Getty Images
27/30 4. 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.
Getty Images
28/30 3. 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.
Juventus FC via Getty Images
29/30 2. 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.
Getty Images
30/30 1. 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.
EPA
England international Jadon Sancho was nominated for the Kopa Trophy for young players along with Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, Everton striker Moise Kean and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who like De Ligt also made the senior list.
Goalkeepers at four English clubs were nominated for the Yashin award as Liverpool’s Alisson, Ederson of Manchester City, Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Lloris were selected alongside Manuel Neuer, Samir Handanovic, Jan Oblak, Andre Onana, Wojciech Szczesny and Ter Stegen.
World champions the United States and Champions League winners Lyon dominated the nominations for the women’s award, with England’s Lucy Bronze and Ellen White in the running.
USA’s Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Rose Lavelle all made the shortlist, while Bronze was one of six Lyon players to join them along with Ada Hegerberg, who claimed the award last year, Amandine Henry, Sarah Bouhaddi, Dzsenifer Marozsan and Wendie Renard.
Manchester City’s White and Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema also made the top 20, as did Brazil star Marta.
Full 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist
Sergio Aguero (Man City and Argentina)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool and England)
Alisson Becker (Liverpool and Brazil)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal and Gabon)
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid and France)
Bernardo Silva (Man City and Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus and Portugal)
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City and Belgium)
Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona and Holland)
Matthijs De Ligt (Juventus and Holland)
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool and Brazil)
Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona and France)
Eden Hazard (Real Madrid and Belgium)
Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli and Senegal)
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich and Poland)
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham and France)
Sadio Mane (Liverpool and Senegal)
Riyad Mahrez (Man City and Algeria)
Marquinhos (Paris St Germain and Brazil)
Kylian Mbappe (Paris St Germain and France)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt)
Son Heung-min (Tottenham and South Korea)
Raheem Sterling (Man City and England)
Dusan Tadic (Ajax and Serbia)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona and Germany)
Donny Van De Beek (Ajax and Holland)
Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool and Holland)
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool and Holland)
