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PARIS. – Real Madrid and Wales forward Gareth Bale and Manchester City’s Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne were among the first 10 nominees for the Ballon d’Or award announced yesterday.
Bale, who scored two goals in Real’s triumph in the final of the Champions League soccer against Liverpool, joins his club team-mate Karim Benzema among the first wave of 30 nominees for the year’s best player.
De Bruyne was nominated for helping his club win the Premier League and his country reach the World Cup semi-finals.
The winner of the prestigious award organised by France Football magazine will be announced on December 3.
Having lost out in the FIFA best player of the year award to Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo takes his place among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or that were being unveiled in stages throughout yesterday. The Juventus forward, currently facing allegations of rape dating back to 2009 that he strenuously denies, has already won the Ballon d’Or five times and is the current holder of the award.
Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero is nominated as is another prolific South American striker, Edinson Cavani of Uruguay and Paris Saint-Germain.
Two goalkeepers are also among the first 10 – Thibaut Courtois of Belgium and Real Madrid and Liverpool and Brazil stopper Alisson Becker.
Liverpool’s Brazilian Roberto Firmino is also nominated and Uruguay’s rugged defender Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid also got the nod. For the first time, a Ballon d’Or for women players will be awarded this year. – AFP.
Online Reporter