Six England players nominated for men’s Ballon d’Or

Six players who helped England reach the Euro 2024 final are on the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Captain Harry Kane, midfielders Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Declan Rice, and forwards Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer are in the running for the prestigious prize, awarded to the best male footballer in 2024.

Lamine Yamal – the Spain and Barcelona winger who only turned 17 in July – is also in the running.

England reached the final of Euro 2024 but were beaten 2-1 in the final by Spain in Berlin on 14 July.

There are a combined eight players from Manchester City and Arsenal, who finished first and second respectively in the Premier League, nominated.

Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who claimed the prize in 2023, does not make the list this time.

It is the first time since 2003 that neither Messi, 37, or five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, have appeared on the list of nominees.

With Karim Benzema and Luka Modric – the only other previous recipients still playing – also left off the shortlist, a first-time winner is guaranteed.

The award is voted for by a jury of journalists from each of the top 100 countries in the Fifa men’s world ranking.

The winners to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 28 October.