Messi not among 2022 Ballon d'Or nominees

Lionel Messi, the seven-time men’s Ballon d’Or winner, is not among the nominees for this year’s award.

There are 30 players in total nominated for the men’s prize – with half of the names on that list playing in this season’s Premier League.

The England-based players are Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Luis Diaz (Liverpool), Fabinho (Liverpool), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool).

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, one of the strong favourites, is listed but Messi, who Messi won the award in 2021, does not make it after an underwhelming first season at Paris St-Germain.

England players Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are among 10 players nominated for the Kopa Trophy, presented to the best performing player under the age of 21.

Meanwhile, four Premier League keepers – Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea) and Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) are in the running for the Yashin Trophy, presented annually by France Football to the best performing goalkeeper.

2022 Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool, England)

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, France)

Joao Cancelo (Manchester City, Portugal)

Casemiro (Real Madrid, Brazil)

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium)

Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)

Luis Diaz (Liverpool, Colombia)

Fabinho (Liverpool, Brazil)

Phil Foden (Manchester City, England)

Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)

Sebastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund, Ivory Coast)

Harry Kane (Tottenham, England)