The nominations for this year’s Ballon d’Or award have been revealed and there’s a number of Manchester City stars included on the shortlist.
Pep Guardiola’s squad have enjoyed an incredibly successful year, having completed a landmark treble last season; winning the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Emirates FA Cup.
Manchester City won their third consecutive Premier League title and overcame Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Inter Milan as part of an unbeaten European campaign, which culminated in a maiden Champions League trophy.
Erling Haaland’s debut season at the Etihad Stadium saw the Norwegian score a mouthwatering 52 goals in 53 appearances, as the 23-year-old also won a series of personal accolades.
Haaland, who was previously named the PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year, won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award in Monaco last Thursday, beating Lionel Messi and Kevin De Bruyne.
The Norway international is a strong contender to potentially win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, although Messi is expected to provide stiff competition, as the World Cup winner bids to win a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or.
The Ballon d’Or shortlist was officially announced on Wednesday evening, with Haaland one of eight Manchester City players named in the 30-man shortlist.
The full shortlist included: Josko Gvardiol, Andre Onana, Jamal Musiala, Karim Benzema, Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, Kevin de Bruyne, Jude Bellingham, Randal Kolo Muani, Bernardo Silva, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Emiliano Martinez, Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, Nicolo Barella, Martin Odegaard, Ilkay Gundogan, Yassine Bounou, Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Jr, Rodri, Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Robert Lewandowski, Kim Min-Jae, Luka Modric, Kylian Mbappe, Victor Osimhen and Harry Kane.
Many have speculated that Messi, after sealing a Ligue 1 title with PSG and a World Cup title with Argentina in December, will clinch the trophy for 2023.
However, he will do well to beat Manchester City talisman Haaland to the title after the Norwegian forward enjoyed a scintillating debut campaign in England.
The winner of the award will be crowned on October 30th.
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