2024 Ballon d'Or nominees announced

The longlist nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards have been announced ahead of October's ceremony with last year's winner Lionel Messi not included.

As always, there is a long list of names for a plethora of awards with several Premier League stars and England players nominated for the prestigious Men's Ballon d'Or.

Elsewhere, the Women's Ballon d'Or includes eight current WSL players and several Lionesses stars. Meanwhile, Manchester United youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are up for the Kopa award.

Players

Plenty of Premier League players have made the shortlist including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rúben Dias, Rodri (Man City); Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka (Arsenal); Cole Palmer (Chelsea); Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa).

Elsewhere, England stars Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are nominated but the latter will face serious competition from teammate Vinícius Júnior. The 30-man list also includes EURO 2024 stand-out Nico Williams, Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka, and the now-retired Toni Kroos.

Finally, the exclusion of Lionel Messi gives this year's award a 'new era' feel.

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There is also representation for the WSL including Bunny Shaw, Yui Hasegawa, Lauren Hemp (Man City); Lauren James, Mayra Ramírez, Sjoeke Nüsken, and new recruit Lucy Bronze (Chelsea); as well as Mariona Caldentey (now of Arsenal).

The Yashin trophy for goalkeepers includes last year's winner and Aston Villa man Martínez. Liverpool fans will also be excited to see the name of future player Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Meanwhile,  two Manchester United talents, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are nominated for the Kopa trophy that many expect to go to Barça youngster Lamine Yamal.

Coaches

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Internationally, EURO 2024 winner with Spain, Luis de la Fuente, has been nominated as has Copa América winner Lionel Scaloni of Argentina.

Sarina Wiegman, who took England to the World Cup final, is among the women's football coaches nominated for the award. New Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor was also nominated for her work with Lyon. 

Arthur Elias (Corinthians/Brazil) and Filipa Patão (Benfica) have also been named although Jonatan Giráldez, formerly of Barcelona and now of Washington Spirit, has a great chance to win.

Clubs

Borussia Dortmund, Girona, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, and Manchester City (last year's winner) are the five contenders for best club. Champions League winners Madrid and undefeated Leverkusen will be among the favourites while the City Group will be happy to see two of their sides nominated.

Of the women's clubs, 2023 award winners Barcelona will be strong favourites for another dominant season. Alongside them are serial WSL winners Chelsea, French sides Lyon and PSG, as well as the only NWSL representative, NY/NJ Gotham.