Click here for final Ballon D’Or Standings 2016- December 12, 2016
The list of nominees for the 2016 Ballon D’Or (Golden Ball) was announced officially today by France Football (October 24, 2016). The 30 players’ names were released in batches by France Football (in alphabetical order of surnames)
Since 2010 (when it was merged with the World Player of the Year Award), the Ballon D’Or has been won by one of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi won in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015, with Ronaldo winning it in 2013 and 2014.
Some interesting names to miss out include David de Gea, Mesut Ozil, Leonardo Bonucci and Boateng, amongst others.
Ballon D’Or 30 player shortlist (all 30 announced)
Sergio Aguero, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gareth Bale, Gigi Buffon, Kevin de Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, Diego Godin, Antoine Griezmann, Gonzalo Higuain
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andres Iniesta, Koke, Toni Kroos, Robert Lewandowski
Hugo Lloris, Riyad Mahrez, Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller, Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, Neymar, Dimitri Payet, Pepe, Paul Pogba
Rui Patricio, Sergio Ramos, Luis Suarez, Jamie Vardy, Arturo Vidal