It’s been a while since Manchester United had a player named to the Ballon d’Or shortlist, so congratulations to No. 1 goalie Andre Onana. Even if the only reason he’s on this list is because of his most recent former club.
The short list includes 23 names, but one is missing: Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who has made the cut every year since 2003.
Andre Onana
Ronaldo, who left United in January for Al-Nassr, has won this accolade five times. Onana, however, has had a difficult start at United and hasn’t looked like the performer he was at Inter Milan.
However, it is still early in the game, and you have to admire the enthusiasm with which he plays–it really brings everyone around him, or even just watching, into the game.
Lionel Messi, now at Inter Miami, is widely regarded as the favorite to win the award. Karim Benzema, who is presently at Al-Ittihad, is the current bearer of the title.
Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominee List in Full
Andre Onana – Manchester United/Cameroon
Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City/Croatia
Karim Benzema – Al IttihadJamal
Musiala – Bayern Munich/Germany
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool/Egypt
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid/England
Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan/Argentina
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid/France
Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona/Poland
Kylian Mbappé – Paris Saint-Germain/France
Kim Min-jae – Napoli/South Korea
Victor Osimhen – Napoli/Nigeria
Luka Modric – Real Madrid/Croatia
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich/England
