Bukayo Saka of ENGLAND is the front-runner among the Premier League players nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The 22-year-old was a standout for Arsenal last season, scoring 15 goals and dishing out 11 assists during their unsuccessful bid for the Premier League championship.

Jude Bellingham, a fellow countryman who received a lucrative transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid this summer as a result of his 14 goals and seven assists during his final season with the German national team, has joined him on the list of nominees.

Along with some of the biggest names in international football, including their captain Harry Kane, the Three Lions players have been nominated for the prized trophy.

Unsurprisingly, Mohamed Salah and Karim Benzema have been nominated for the award.

Seven Manchester City players, including Kevin de Bruyne, Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Julian Alvarez, Rodri, and, of course, Erling Haaland, joined the productive partnership as nominees.

Twelve Premier League players, including Martin Odegaard of Arsenal, Emi Martinez of Aston Villa, and Andre Onana of Manchester United, are vying for the prize.

In recognition of his performances for Bayern Munich, Jamal Musiala received a nomination alongside Kim Min-Jae, a summer transfer target for Manchester United.

Randal Kolo Muani and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain were also included.

Following an outstanding campaign with Napoli alongside teammate Victor Osimhen, Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been nominated.

Nicolo Barella and Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan complete the Italian team competing for the prize. Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan, and Vinicius Jr. will represent Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona during the ceremony. Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid is also competing for the prestigious prize.Yassine Bounou of Al-Hilal is the unexpected nominee for the honor. Unsurprisingly, Inter Miami’s newcomer Lionel Messi was the most foreseeable nominee. Following his heroics at the 2022 World Cup, the seven-time trophy winner is the favorite to win it again. In December of last year, Messi, 35, ended Argentina’s 36-year wait to win the most prestigious football trophy at Qatar 2022, a competition in which he scored seven goals and contributed three assists.Cristiano Ronaldo, however, was dealt a cruel blow as he failed to receive a nomination for the first time since 2003. On October 30, France football will reveal the recipient of the prestigious prize. Also announced were the nominees for the Women’s Ballon d’Or and Kopa Trophy, which featured FOUR Lionesses stars.They all contributed significantly to England’s success in reaching the World Cup final last month and are all vying for the award: Millie Bright, Rachel Daly, Mary Earps, and Georgia Stanway.