Paris – For the first time since 2003, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will compete for the Ballon d’Or for the best footballer. The eight-time laureate and last year’s holder of the prestigious trophy, Messi, who won the South American championship with Argentina this year, nor the five-time winner Ronaldo, do not figure in the 30-member nomination, which was published today by the organizers of a poll from France Football magazine. He will announce the results on October 28 in Paris.
Among the big favorites is Brazilian forward Vinícius, who helped Real Madrid win the Champions League. The Norwegian gunner of the champion Manchester City, Erling Haaland, and the English striker Harry Kane, who won the Golden Boot for the best scorer in the European football leagues last season, are also present. Among the candidates were a number of Spanish European champions – Dani Carvajal, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
For example, Xabi Alonso from Leverkusen, Carlo Ancelotti from Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola from Manchester City or the coach of the Spanish national team Luis de la Fuente are competing for the award for coach of the year.
Sport football nomination Golden Ball award
Source: www.ceskenoviny.cz
