In it to win it

Ballon d’Or: All 30 nominees announced as Jamie Vardy takes on all-conquering Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the prestigious award

  • France Football released list including Gareth Bale, Antoine Griezmann and Neymar
  • Only two winners since 2008 - Messi and Ronaldo
  • Riyad Mahrez used to play French lower league football and is now included
  • Jamie Vardy used to play in non-league but is also nominated

JAMIE VARDY used to work in a factory when playing in non-league - and today he has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

The Leicester City striker, who scored 24 goals last season as the Foxes won the most unlikely of Premier League titles, was playing for Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Northern Premier League in 2010.

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The Ballon d'Or award has once again become separate entity from FifaCredit: Getty Images

He is nominated for the most prestigious prize for individual footballers along with his Leicester teammate Riyad Mahrez, who used to play in the French lower leagues.

In total, there are eight Premier League players on the list: Vardy, Mahrez, Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Dimitri Payet, Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hugo Lloris.

But despite all this, Cristiano Ronaldo is red-hot favourite to win the Ballon d'Or for the fourth time.

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The award was presided over by Fifa from 2010 to 2015, but France Football have re-taken charge.

Keep up to date with ALL the Ballon d'Or news by clicking HERE

The French magazine announced nominees in bunches of fives throughout the day.

Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Gianluigi Buffon, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero are all included.

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Here is the whole list having been finally announced...

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Sergio Aguero

Prolific striker Sergio Aguero is one of many Premier League nomineesCredit: Getty Images

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has enjoyed a stellar 2016 with DortmundCredit: Getty Images

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale nominated for 2016 Ballon d'Or after Wales' Euro 2016 exploitsCredit: PA:Press Association
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Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon has also been included on Ballon d'Or shortlist by France FootballCredit: Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo would become second player to win Ballon d'Or four timesCredit: Getty Images

Kevin de Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne more than justified £54million move to Manchester CityCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Paulo Dybala

Paulo Dybala impressed at Juventus and is a target for all top clubs in EuropeCredit: EPA
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Diego Godin

Diego Godin has established himself as one of leading defenders in worldCredit: Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann was top scorer at Euro 2016 and excelled in Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images

Gonzalo Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain broke Serie A goal scoring records before £75m Juventus moveCredit: Reuters

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was top goal scorer in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain last seasonCredit: Reuters
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Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta has enjoyed another sensational year with BarcelonaCredit: Reuters

Koke

Koke was part of the Atletico Madrid team which reached Champs League finalCredit: Getty Images

Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos won Champions League with Real Madrid last seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski has established himself as one of top strikers in footballCredit: Getty Images
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Thomas Muller

Bayern Munich stalwart Thomas Muller puts in impressive and consistent performances

Hugo Lloris

Lloris has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in world footballCredit: PA:Press Association

Riyad Mahrez

Leicester star Riyad Mahrez used to play in French lower leagues, but is now one of the best players in the worldCredit: PA:Press Association

Lionel Messi

The reigning champion and four time Ballon D'or holder, it is likely he will win again this time aroundCredit: Getty Images
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Luka Modric

Croatian midfielder wizard makes things tick for Real MadridCredit: AP:Associated Press

Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer is widely believed to be the best goalkeeper in the worldCredit: Getty Images

Neymar

Neymar has formed a lethal partnership at Barcelona with Messi and Luis SuarezCredit: Getty Images

Dimitri Payet

Dimitri Payet has arrived in the Premier League with a bangCredit: Getty Images
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Pepe

Towering Real Madrid centre back Pepe makes the final list

Rui Patricio

Sporting keeper Rui Patricio has become one of the top stoppers aroundCredit: AP

Paul Pogba

The most expensive player in the world Paul Pogba has had a hard start at Manchester United but is still includedCredit: Getty Images

Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos is a rock at the back for Real MadridCredit: Getty Images
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Luis Suarez

Suarez is perhaps the most prolific striker in the worldCredit: Getty Images

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy used to play in non-league football and is now nominatedCredit: Getty Images

Arturo Vidal

Arturo Vidal has helped Bayern Munich to the top of the BundesligaCredit: AP:Associated Press
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