Arsenal star boy Bukayo Saka earned his first Ballon d'Or nomination for 2023, joining teammates Amanda Ilestedt and Katie McCabe as some of the world's top players.
Tonight, France Football are set to unveil the 30-player shortlist for one of the most exciting awards in the football world. Saka, a two-time nominee for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best male player under 21, narrowly missed out on the honor in both 2021 and 2022 to Barcelona's emerging talents Pedri and Gavi.
Now, at the age of 22, he aspires to become the first English player since Michael Owen in 2021 to secure this prestigious award. Only two other Englishmen, Bobby Charlton in 1966 and Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, have received this recognition.
Arsenal's goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has also received a nomination for the Yashin Trophy, which honors the best goalkeeper. He faces stiff competition from the likes of Ederson of Manchester City and Andre Onana of Manchester United.
The leading contenders to clench the Ballon d'Or award are currently Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.