The shortlist of nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or have on Wednesday been announced.
And a whole host of La Liga players feature front and centre.
Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid, after clinching glory on both the European and domestic fronts last season, dominate the list, with a whopping seven representatives.
From Carlo Ancelotti’s current squad, all of Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rüdiger, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé are in the running to be named world football’s best player.
The retired Toni Kroos, meanwhile, has also been recognised with a nomination.
Turning attentions towards Spanish football’s other leading club, Barcelona see two members of Hansi Flick’s ranks on the ‘Golden Ball’ shortlist.
First up comes teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, with summer signing Dani Olmo’s excellence at the European Championships enough to earn the former RB Leipzig man a spot on the star-studded list, too.
And rounding out the La Liga representation is another of Spain’s Euro 2024 heroes, in Athletic Club standout Nico Williams.
Check out the full list of nominees for the next Ballon d’Or below:
Conor Laird | GSFN
