The prestigious Ballon d’Or nominations were announced by France Football magazine on Wednesday, featuring some of football’s biggest names. Inter Miami striker Lionel Messi, a seven-time winner, is among the nominees following his leadership in Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar last December, a historic win for his nation.

Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker who recently secured the UEFA award for the best men’s player, and Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe are also standout nominees in the list.

In contrast, Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, the two-time reigning women’s Ballon d’Or winner, did not make the cut this year.

Turning to the female nominees, Chelsea’s dynamic duo, Sam Kerr and Millie Bright, have earned their places among the 30 contenders. Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona, who played a vital role in Spain’s World Cup triumph last month, is another notable inclusion.

The highly anticipated awards for the best male and female players in the world will be presented on October 30th.

This year’s Ballon d’Or promises to be a thrilling event, as football fans eagerly await to see who will be crowned the best players on the planet.