The list of 23 candidates vying for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, seeking to succeed Lionel Messi and potentially win a fifth Ballon d’Or, has been unveiled. Among the contenders is Franck Ribéry, the accomplished French player from Bayern Munich, who clinched victories in the Champions League, Bundesliga, and the German Cup.
Six players from Bayern Munich, constituting a quarter of the list, are in contention for the award. Notably, the list has seen almost a 50% turnover compared to the previous year. Only one African player, Yaya Touré of Manchester City, is featured in the list.
The 23 candidates are as follows:
- Gareth Bale (WAL, Real Madrid)
- Edinson Cavani (URU, Paris-SG)
- Radamel Falcao (COL, Monaco)
- Eden Hazard (BEL, Chelsea)
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWE, Paris-SG)
- Andrés Iniesta (ESP, FC Barcelona)
- Philipp Lahm (GER, Bayern Munich)
- Robert Lewandowski (POL, Borussia Dortmund)
- Lionel Messi (ARG, FC Barcelona)
- Thomas Müller (GER, Bayern Munich)
- Neymar (BRA, FC Barcelona)
- Manuel Neuer (GER, Bayern Munich)
- Mesut Özil (GER, Arsenal)
- Andrea Pirlo (ITA, Juventus Turin)
- Franck Ribéry (FRA, Bayern Munich)
- Arjen Robben (NED, Bayern Munich)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (POR, Real Madrid)
- Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER, Bayern Munich)
- Luis Suarez (URU, Liverpool)
- Thiago Silva (BRA, Paris-SG)
- Yaya Touré (CIV, Manchester City)
- Robin van Persie (NED, Manchester United)
- Xavi (ESP, FC Barcelona)
Africa Top Sports.com has conducted polls to gather opinions on who should win and if the player can win the Ballon d’Or. The fans are invited to cast their votes and share their thoughts on the candidates.
