The 30-man list of Ballon d’Or nominees will be revealed throughout the day today. Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale is among the first contenders to be announced.
Gareth Bale Ballon d’Or
The Welshman enjoyed a fine season with Real Madrid despite the lack of playing time and made his presence felt in the Champions League final with a marvellous overhead kick – one of the best goals in CL history. Bale’s chances of winning the award are slim to none, but he can take pride in the fact he was nominated. Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Paris Saint Germain attacker Edinson Cavani are four more players who made the cut.
Ballon d’Or history
Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in world football. It was first given out back in 1956, when England international Sir Stanley Matthews claimed the trophy. There have been 43 total winners in 62 years, ten of whom have won the award more than two times.
Alfredi Stefano – 2
Johan Cruyff – 3
Franz Beckenbauer – 2
Kevin Keegan – 2
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 2
Michel Platini – 3
Marco van Basten – 3
Ronaldo – 2
Lionel Messi – 5
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5
The final list is compiled by French journalists, while the eventual winner is determined by the votes of journalists from around the world (one representative per nation). Lionel Messi and Cristiano have reigned supreme over the past ten years, sharing the Golden Ball five times each. Ronaldo won it last year.
2018 Golden Ball contenders
He and Luka Modric are the main contenders this year. The Portuguese was the front-runner ahead of the World Cup, but his country’s early exit and Croatia’s trip to the final have helped Modric convince UEFA and FIFA he had a better year. They voted him as the world’s best player. What will Ballon d’Or’s journalists decide? We’ll find out on on December 3 during a special ceremony held in France’s capital Paris.