Harry Kane and Alessia Russo among nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or

England captains Harry Kane and Alessia Russo lead a strong British contingent named among the official nominees for this year’s prestigious Ballon d'Or awards. France Football magazine announced the complete shortlists for both categories on Tuesday, highlighting stellar individual campaigns across European club and international football. Kane enjoyed a prolific debut season in the German Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, shattering numerous scoring records and capturing the European Golden Shoe, while Arsenal forward Russo played a pivotal role in her club's domestic success and spearheaded the Lionesses' attacking lineup throughout a demanding international calendar filled with crucial UEFA qualifiers.

The prestigious shortlists feature several standout Premier League and international stars, including England midfielders Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, alongside Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood. Bellingham experienced a sensational debut campaign at Real Madrid, securing both the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League trophy under Carlo Ancelotti, whereas Rice anchored Arsenal's formidable midfield as Mikel Arteta's side pushed Manchester City to the final day of the title race. Greenwood remained a defensive bedrock for both club and country, orchestrating City's backline with exceptional tactical intelligence and distribution that ultimately earned her widespread recognition among Europe's elite footballing circles.

The highly anticipated winners will be crowned during a glittering ceremony scheduled to take place in London on October 26. This upcoming gala marks a historic relocation of the event away from its traditional home in Paris, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening celebrating the absolute pinnacle of global soccer talent. Reigning men's holder Ousmane Dembélé returns to the 30-man shortlist alongside France teammate Kylian Mbappé, who cemented his legendary status this summer by surpassing Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup goalscoring record with an astonishing 22 strikes on the grandest international stage.