Ballon D’or is the greatest individual award a footballer can win. Over the years we have seen the top names lift the trophy. The list of Ballon D’or nominees this year was recently shared by France Football. 30 big names are shortlisted for the prestigious award. There are some new names making the list for the first time. On the other hand, both Ronaldo and Messi are missing from the list for the first time since 2003. Arsenal have five players representing them in the Ballon D’or ceremony this year.
Four of the five Arsenal players are from men’s team. Whereas the last one is the woman footballer who joined Gunners this summer. All of the five players had an amazing 2023/24 season with both club and country. Take a look at who are those five superstars.
Who are the five Arsenal superstars shortlisted for Ballon D’or award
Firstly, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are on the list same as last year. Odegaard had a very good last season. He ended the season with 11 goals and 11 assists in 48 matches. 8 of those goals and 10 of those assists came in Premier League.
Bukayo Saka was the highest goalscorer for Arsenal last season. He scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 matches. In addition, he helped England to reach the Euro 2024 final.
Declan Rice is the third Arsenal player to make the list. Rice has been superb for Arsenal since joining from West Ham United last year. He scored 7 goals along with providing 9 assists for Gunners in 51 matches. He was also part of England team that reached Euro final alongside Bukayo Saka. The record Arsenal transfer signings will be attending his first ever Ballon D’or award function.
William Saliba is the forth player and last men’s player to be shortlisted. Saliba has been extraordinary defender for both Arsenal and France. He kept 18 clean sheets in Premier League whereas he helped France to reach the semi-final of Euro 2024.
Last Arsenal player to make the list is female summer signing Mariona Caldentey. She won treble with Barcelona and World Cup with Spain. Caldentey scored in the world cup final against England. She played 46 matches for Barcelona last season and scored 20 goals along with providing 18 assists. Ballon D’or will be awarded on 28 October in Paris.
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