PARIS: Eight time winner Lionel Messi, and five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo, will not win another Ballon d’Or this year. Brazil forward Vinicius Junior is among the favourites. This year’s contenders are: Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Antonio Ruediger, Fede Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, Carvajal, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen, Carlo Ancelotti and Luis de la Fuente.
Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona and Spain will hope to retain the women’s Ballon d’Or.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is due to take place in Paris on October 28