Novelty

What's the story? In a surprising turn of events, five-time Ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been left out of the top three for the award during the halfway mark in voting. Instead, three other players have emerged as favourites for the award this year. In case you didn't know... The release of France Football's 30-man shortlist of nominees for this year's edition of the Ballon d'Or award has prompted the football-loving crowd including players themselves to pick their favourites for the prestigious accolade. The list of nominees includes the two players who have dominated the award in the past decade, winning it five times each - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo- and a host of other worthy players including Sergio Aguero, Alisson Becker, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Roberto Firmino, Diego Godin, Antoine Griezmann, Eden Hazard, Isco, Harry Kane, N’Golo Kante, Hug...