On Friday evening, “France Football” presented the 30-player list for the Ballon d’Or 2021, which also included Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.
In ten-minute intervals, the French newspaper presented five candidates each for the Ballon d’Or 2021. BVB goal scorer Haaland was directly in the first quintet, together with Riyad Mahrez, N’golo Kanté, European champion Leonardo Bonucci and Mason Mount. In the second part, Harry Kane and Karim Benzema, among others, were happy about their nomination. Lionel Messi, high-flyer Pedri (also nominated for the Kopa Trophy) and Bonucci’s congenial partner Giorgio Chiellini followed.
In the fourth of the six blocks, Simon Kjaer appeared alongside Neymar and Ruben Dias – named the best defender of the previous Champions League season. The Danish captain’s performances and exemplary behaviour during the last EURO catapulted him onto the list. The penultimate quintet included Bayern goal scorer and last year’s winner Robert Lewandowski. Next to him were Jorginho – voted Europe’s Footballer of the Year – Romelu Lukaku, Cesar Azpilicueta and Mohamed Salah.
Only Donnarumma, no Neuer
Five prominent names “France Football” saved for last: Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Europa League winner Gerard, Phil Foden and Luis Suarez, world champion Kylian Mbappé is on the list. This also meant that Gianluigi Donnarumma was the only goalkeeper to enter the race. Manuel Neuer, one of the ten candidates for best keeper, is not included.
The 30 candidates at a glance:
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
N’golo Kanté (Chelsea)
Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus Turin)
Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
Lionel Messi (PSG)
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Pedri (FC Barcelona)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus Turin)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Neymar (PSG)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Simon Kjaer (AC Milan)
Robert Lewandowski (FC Bayern)
Jorginho (Chelsea)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC)
Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Gerard (Villarreal)
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Kylian Mbappé (PSG)
Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid)
