France Football revealed the nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or this Wednesday on their social media channels. The spotlight is on players from Real Madrid (Champions League winners), the Spanish National Team (Euro 2024 champions), and the Argentine National Team (Copa América champions).

Among the big names announced this Wednesday are Erling Haaland, Martin Ödegaard, Declan Rice, Vitinha, Harry Kane, Federico Valverde, and Antonio Rüdiger.

Six Spanish players are in the running for this year's Ballon d'Or after their Euro 2024 victory this summer—Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Dani Carvajal, Lamine Yamal, and Alejandro Grimaldo. Argentina, the Copa América champions, leads the Latin American representation with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and forward Lautaro Martínez.

For the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi are among the nominees. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 in July, becomes the youngest player ever nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

Yamal is also in the running for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player, alongside talents like Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona) and Arda Guler (Real Madrid).

In the goalkeeper category, the ten nominees include Spain’s Unai Simón, Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, and Inter Milan's Swiss shot-stopper, Yann Sommer, among others.

As for the coaching category, Spanish managers dominate with Xabi Alonso, Pep Guardiola, and Spain's national team coach, Luis de la Fuente. They’ll be competing against Italians Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), and Argentina’s national team coach, Lionel Scaloni. The awards ceremony will take place in Paris on October 28.