30-Man Ballon d'Or Shortlist By France Football

Much to the confusion of fans, Hugo Lloris is among the first five nominees for the 2019 Ballon d’Or award.

Spurs and France goalkeeper Lloris was named by France Football, along with Champions League winner Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic, Frenkie De Jong and Sergio Aguero.

The Frenchman might have played his part in Spurs’ run to the Champions League final but given he has produced the most errors in the last three Premier League seasons, his inclusion is a surprise one.

Mane, who scored 26 goals in 50 games last season as Liverpool won a sixth European Cup, would appear to be a shoo-in to finish in the top ten, with Tadic and De Jong deservedly making the cut after their scintillating display helped Ajax reach the Champions League semi-final and win Eredivisie.

Aguero won a domestic treble for Manchester City, firing in 32 goals in 46 games to put himself in the Ballon d’Or conversation.

The Ballon d’Or has been awarded by the French magazine since 1956 and sees their editorial staff put together the initial 30-man shortlist.

More names are to be released throughout the day, with it widely expected that the final three will be the same trio that led the way in the FIFA Men’s Best Player award: winner Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk.

For the next stage of the vote, leading journalists from all over the globe (one vote per nation) are afforded their say.

The winner of the prize will be named at a ceremony at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on December, while nominees for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, Kopa Trophy (Best under 21 player) and newly introduced Yachine Trophy – named after legendary former goalkeeper Lev Yashin, will also be released today.

Last year, Luka Modric ended seven years of Ronaldo and Messi reign of dominance when he scooped the award for winning a third Champions League in a row with Real Madrid – as well as captaining Croatia to the World Cup final.
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