Ballon d’Or: All 30 nominees announced as Jamie Vardy takes on all-conquering Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the prestigious award
JAMIE VARDY used to work in a factory when playing in non-league – and today he has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
The Leicester City striker, who scored 24 goals last season as the Foxes won the most unlikely of Premier League titles, was playing for Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Northern Premier League in 2010.
The Ballon d’Or award has once again become separate entity from FifaGetty Images
He is nominated for the most prestigious prize for individual footballers along with his Leicester teammate Riyad Mahrez, who used to play in the French lower leagues.
In total, there are eight Premier League players on the list: Vardy, Mahrez, Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Dimitri Payet, Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hugo Lloris.
But despite all this, Cristiano Ronaldo is red-hot favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for the fourth time.
The award was presided over by Fifa from 2010 to 2015, but France Football have re-taken charge.
Keep up to date with ALL the Ballon d’Or news by clicking HERE
The French magazine announced nominees in bunches of fives throughout the day.
Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Gianluigi Buffon, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero are all included.
Here is the whole list having been finally announced…
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Sergio Aguero
Prolific striker Sergio Aguero is one of many Premier League nomineesGetty Images
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has enjoyed a stellar 2016 with DortmundGetty Images
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale nominated for 2016 Ballon d’Or after Wales’ Euro 2016 exploitsPA:Press Association
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon has also been included on Ballon d’Or shortlist by France FootballReuters
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo would become second player to win Ballon d’Or four timesGetty Images
Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne more than justified £54million move to Manchester CityNews Group Newspapers Ltd
Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala impressed at Juventus and is a target for all top clubs in EuropeEPA
Diego Godin
Diego Godin has established himself as one of leading defenders in worldGetty Images
Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann was top scorer at Euro 2016 and excelled in Champions LeagueGetty Images
Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain broke Serie A goal scoring records before £75m Juventus moveReuters
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was top goal scorer in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain last seasonReuters
Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta has enjoyed another sensational year with BarcelonaReuters
Koke
Koke was part of the Atletico Madrid team which reached Champs League finalGetty Images
Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos won Champions League with Real Madrid last seasonAP:Associated Press
Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski has established himself as one of top strikers in footballGetty Images
Thomas Muller
Bayern Munich stalwart Thomas Muller puts in impressive and consistent performances
Hugo Lloris
Lloris has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in world footballPA:Press Association
Riyad Mahrez
Leicester star Riyad Mahrez used to play in French lower leagues, but is now one of the best players in the worldPA:Press Association
Lionel Messi
The reigning champion and four time Ballon D'or holder, it is likely he will win again this time aroundGetty Images
Luka Modric
Croatian midfielder wizard makes things tick for Real MadridAP:Associated Press
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is widely believed to be the best goalkeeper in the worldGetty Images
Neymar
Neymar has formed a lethal partnership at Barcelona with Messi and Luis SuarezGetty Images
Dimitri Payet
Dimitri Payet has arrived in the Premier League with a bangGetty Images
Pepe
Towering Real Madrid centre back Pepe makes the final list
Rui Patricio
Sporting keeper Rui Patricio has become one of the top stoppers aroundAP
Paul Pogba
The most expensive player in the world Paul Pogba has had a hard start at Manchester United but is still includedGetty Images
Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is a rock at the back for Real MadridGetty Images
Luis Suarez
Suarez is perhaps the most prolific striker in the worldGetty Images
Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy used to play in non-league football and is now nominatedGetty Images
Arturo Vidal
Arturo Vidal has helped Bayern Munich to the top of the BundesligaAP:Associated Press
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