Bayern Munich's Harry Kane and Bayer Leverkusen trio among Bundesliga nominees for Ballon d'Or
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane and Bayer Leverkusen trio Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka and Alejandro Grimaldo have been named on the 30-man shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or award.
The ceremony to crown the world's best player will take place on Monday 28 October 2024 in Paris, and will feature a host of Bundesliga names past and present.
Kane's astonishing debut season for Bayern, in which he scored 44 goals in 45 outings in all competitions for the record Bundesliga champions, has been recognised with a place on the list of players in the running for the prestigious honour.
The England captain is also in the running for the Gerd Müller Trophy given to the season's best striker and named after his legendary predecessor as Bayern's No.9.
Watch: Harry Kane under the tactical microscope
Meanwhile, Wirtz, Xhaka and Grimaldo have all been nominated on the back of their superb seasons in spearheading Leverkusen to an unprecedented unbeaten domestic campaign that culminated in them winning the league and cup double.
Dani Olmo, who left RB Leipzig in the summer, and Mats Hummels, who departed Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season, are also on the shortlist.
So too is the recently retired Toni Kroos, Germany international Antonio Rüdiger, and former Bundesliga trio Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
Watch: Wirtz wins Bundesliga Player of the Season 2023/24!
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The ceremony in October will also award the Coach of the Year. Leverkusen mastermind Xabi Alonso is one of six tacticians in the running for the prize, alongside Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Luis de la Fuente (Spain national team), Lionel Scaloni (Argentina national team) and and Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta).
Furthermore, Leverkusen and Dortmund are among the five contenders for the men's club of the year, together with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Girona.
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