Ballon d’Or

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      Bukayo Saka, Mason Greenwood and Jude Bellingham nominated for France Football’s prestigious 2021 Kopa Trophy

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      ENGLISH trio Bukayo Saka, Mason Greenwood and Jude Bellingham have all been nominated for this year’s edition of the prestigious Kopa Trophy.The award, which is named after French footballer Raymond Kopa, is given to the best performing player under the age of 21.
      Bukayo Saka has been one of Arsenal’s standout players over the past yearCredit: Getty
      Jude Bellingham is one of the most valuable teenagers in world footballCredit: Getty
      It is handed out on the same night as the Ballon d’Or and decided upon by previous winners.
      The other nominees include Bellingham’s Dortmund team-mate Giovanni Reyna and Barcelona and Spain teen sensation Pedri.
      Rennes and Belgium forward Jeremy Doku has also made the 10-man shortlist.
      Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is another nominee, as is Bayern Munich and Germany playmaker Jamal Musiala.
      Musiala’s compatriot Florian Wirtz is also on the shortlist, with Paris Saint-Germain full-back Nuno Mendes rounding off the nominees.
      The ceremony, which will announce the Kopa Trophy and Ballon d’Or winners among other awards, will take place on November 29.

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      Meanwhile, Premier League players have dominated the Ballon d’Or longlist – making up almost half of the of the 30 names
      Five players from Chelsea and Man City, two from Manchester United and one each from Tottenham and Liverpool have made the cut.
      Chelsea stars Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount and Jorginho – who is among the favourites – feature.
      City have Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and Raheem Sterling. 
      Greenwood is continuing to develop at a rapid rate at Manchester UnitedCredit: Rex
      Portugal team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes represent United.
      Harry Kane is Tottenham’s sole nominee while Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s.
      The award is given to the year’s best footballer but was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      Ballon d’Or nominees including Messi, Ronaldo and De Bruyne show their skills in training More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo SIXTH favourite for Ballon d’Or behind Lionel Messi and Chelsea star N’Golo Kante

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO is once again in the running for the Ballon d’Or – but is only sixth favourite.The 36-year-old striker completed a fairytale return to Manchester United this summer from Juventus.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is the sixth favourite to win the Ballon d’OrCredit: EPA
      And he has certainly hit the ground running with five goals in six games in all competitions.
      Last season for Juve the Portuguese superstar scored 36 goals in 44 games.
      But that isn’t enough to make him one of the favourites for the coveted prize.
      Lionel Messi is ODDS-ON to secure his SEVENTH Ballon d’Or. The 34-year-old is now at Paris Saint Germain and scored 38 goals in 47 games.
      Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is the second favourite at odds of 5-1
      He netted an incredible 46 goals in just 38 games to help Bayern to the Bundesliga title.

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      Chelsea midfielder Jorginho is third-favourite at odds of 5-1 with Manchester City schemer Kevin De Bruyne next best at 12-1.
      Jorginho’s Stamford Bridge team-mate N’Golo Kante is a 12/1 shot with five-time winner Ronaldo next at 16-1.
      Meanwhile, CR7 has been awarded Premier League Player of the Month following a stellar return to Old Trafford.
      After an emotional second Red Devils debut against Newcastle, CR7 scored three goals in three Prem appearances in September.
      The 36-year-old scored twice in the 4-1 win against Newcastle at the start of the September, as well as the opener in the 2-1 victory over West Ham.
      CR7 beat Joao Cancelo, Antonio Rudiger, Allan Saint-Maximin, Ismaila Sarr and Mohamed Salah to the award.
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      Ballon d’Or to return on 29 November after Covid KOd ceremony last year with full list of nominations on 8 October

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      WORLD football will gather to crown its best players once again as the Ballon d’Or returns following a Covid hiatus.The prestigious ceremony was cancelled last year as the pandemic raged with no awards dished out for the first time in 64 years.
      Leo Messi has won a record six awardsCredit: Getty
      But organisers France Football have confirmed this year’s bash will take place on November 29 live from the Chatelet Theatre in Paris.
      Leo Messi is the latest recipient of the men’s award having produced yet another stellar season for Barcelona in 2019.
      The award put the Argentina great top of the pile with six individual wins, ahead of rival Cristiano Ronaldo on five.
      Messi remains one of the favourites after moving to Paris Saint-Germain with Bayern Munich ace Robert Lewandowski also in the mix.
      Premier League interest is likely to come in the shape of Chelsea and Italy star Jorginho.
      The midfielder has been tipped following a stand-out year in which he won the Champions League and Euro 2020.

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      Others have called for his unassuming team-mate N’Golo Kante to be handed the gong while Blues striker Romelu Lukaku is also among the leading candidates.
      The women’s award will be given out for just the third time this year.
      US skipper Megan Rapinoe won in 2019, with the likes of Barca stars Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen in the frame to succeed her.
      Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and presenter Sandy Heribert are set to host the awards as gongs for the best young player and best goalkeeper are also given out.
      Shortlists for the awards will be revealed on October 9.
      Chelsea star Jorginho backed to win Ballon d’Or by Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini More

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      Chelsea fans learning to love Jorginho after Champions League and Euro 2020 triumphs put him in mix for Ballon d’Or

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      JORGINHO’S nickname in the Italy squad is ‘The Professor’ — and perhaps we in England have now finally learnt to appreciate his talents.For most of his time on these shores, fans struggled to ‘get’ the Chelsea star, wondering exactly what it is he brings to a team.
      Blues fans are finally starting to love JorginhoCredit: Getty
      The midfield ace helped both Italy and Chelsea triumph in Europe which has seen him tipped as a Ballon d’Or contenderCredit: Rex
      Ironically, the midfielder seems the type Gareth Southgate needs to help England take that final step.
      Jorginho has had a summer most can only dream of, adding a Euro winners’ medal to Champions League glory.
      The double has seen the Italian emerge as an unlikely contender for the Ballon d’Or.
      That seemed unfathomable when he was frozen out in the latter days of Frank Lampard’s Chelsea reign.
      Hindsight would suggest ostracising him was a mistake.
      But in the season before, when he started regularly for Lampard, many Blues fans questioned his selection.
      Some saw him as the poster boy of a dull year under Maurizio Sarri and decried his lack of creativity and poor tackling.
      Others have always claimed his comfort in possession makes the team tick.

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      The latter was the case in Porto in May as Thomas Tuchel’s organised Blues side shocked Manchester City in the Champions League final.
      He was then the heartbeat for Italy, playing more Euro 2020 minutes than any outfield player of any side with 705.
      Jorginho, who calmly slotted the winning spot-kick against Spain in the semis before missing against England, was recognised with a place in the Uefa team of the tournament.
      Speaking ahead of the final, former boss Sarri said: “He is so good and intelligent that he makes everything seem easy.
      “Fans and journalists (in England) struggled to understand this boy’s game.”
      The Lazio chief also claimed Jorginho would be deserving of the Ballon d’Or if Italy beat England, which they did on penalties.
      Team-mate Lorenzo Insigne said: “I hope he’ll be shortlisted. He deserves it, he is a great player.
      “I call him ‘The Professor’, and we are all happy to play with him.”
      Jorginho’s work off the ball was hugely appreciated as he set a new record for most interceptions at a Euros with 25.
      The midfielder also ran further than anyone and was the tournament’s third-most fouled player.
      His anticipation and composure are the kind of attributes England need to help dictate a game.
      They lost their grip in the final and such a player would help prevent that, although there will be high hopes Declan Rice can master that craft.

      Lampard may not have rated Jorginho highly but Tuchel certainly seems to.
      His agent Joao Santos claims his client has admirers beyond Stamford Bridge, including Juventus.
      But after such an impressive summer, surely Chelsea is where he will stay — and finally get the credit he is due.
      Jorginho celebrates Chelsea’s Champions League win at Italian restaurant as staff bring out ‘trophy’ of food More

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      Nicolas Anelka tells Kylian Mbappe he can only win Ballon d’Or at seven clubs including Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal

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      NICOLAS ANELKA is urging Kylian Mbappe to consider taking his red-hot striking skills to one of England’s or Spain’s football giants.Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona or a club in Italy are among the destinations suggested by the former Gunner in a heartfelt letter published by The Athletic. 
      Nicolas Anelka believes Kylian Mbappe can boost his chances of winning a Ballon d’Or by moving to Spain, Italy of EnglandCredit: Reuters
      Anelka, 42, sees England’s top-flight as Europe’s toughest leagueCredit: AFP
      The retired France striker is advising Mbappe on where to go if he wishes to win a Ballon d’Or.  
      Mbappe, 22, has emerged as one of Europe’s most feared forwards.
      He finished as Ligue One’s top scorer last term netting 27 goals in 31 top-flight games for Paris Saint-Germain. 
      The former Monaco starlet sealed a humongous £162milion September 2017 transfer to the Parc des Princes on an initial season-long loan followed by a four-year deal. 
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      Anelka, 42, wrote: “The French league is not easy, don’t get me wrong, but I think the toughest league is in England. 
      “So, if you want to be one of the best, then do what you do in Paris but with Chelsea or United or Arsenal or Manchester City or Liverpool. 
      “Or go to Spain to Madrid or Barcelona. Or maybe Italy. 
      “You have done so well since coming through at Monaco and taking it to a new level at Paris-Saint Germain.
      “It seems you will stay for another year, then there is a big choice to make. 
      “You have at least two choices — stay in Paris or move to Real Madrid. Both of them can win the Champions League these days. 
      “When I was at PSG, that wasn’t the case. That choice depends on what you want to achieve in football. 
      “If you want the biggest accolades, you will have to move from PSG at some point. 
      “The best leagues are in England and Spain, so you didn’t compete with the best players in the best league.
      “You will have to decide. If you want to win the Ballon d’Or, which is what you should be looking at to echo Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, you will have to compete with the best. 
      “You can’t say you compete with the best all the time when you are at PSG.”
      Mbappe finished as Ligue One’s top scorer in the 2020-21 seasonCredit: Getty

      Mbappe, who was born in Paris, has one year left on his current deal with Ligue 1 side. 
      And the player has been linked with a move from the French giants with Real Madrid and Liverpool thought to be interested.  
      Reflections from Anelka, who hung up his boots in January 2016, come a week after France suffered a shock knockout loss to Switzerland in the Euro 2020 last 16. 
      The PSG ace Mbappe saw his spot-kick effort saved by Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer which led to Les Bleus’ exit from the tournament. 
      And for Anelka, the dramatic moment brought back memories of his 2008 Champions League final penalty shot for Chelsea
      His strike was saved by Manchester United’s Edwin van de Sar. 
      Mbappe penalty against Switzerland was saved in the Euros 2020 last-16 knockout stagesCredit: pixel8000
      Anelka says Mbappe’s penalty drama reminded him of his penalty being saved in the 2008 Champions League finalCredit: PA:Press Association
      The save led to a third trophy win in the tournament for the Red Devils who won 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 finish in extra time. 
       The former Stamford Bridge star added: “A penalty shootout is the best way to settle a match when you are victorious but when you are vanquished it is very cruel. 
      “For me, it happened in Moscow, in the Champions League final with Chelsea in 2008. It was our seventh penalty. 
      “Edwin van der Sar made a save for Manchester United and Chelsea’s loss was on my shoulders. 
      “I found it very difficult for two or three months. Coming back to play with the team for the next season, looking the players in the eyes, was really tough. 
      “It was only through the act of playing, and scoring goals, that I could overcome the ordeal there.”
      Mbappe has been linked with Liverpool and Real MadridCredit: AFP
      Anelka, who quit his role as sports director of fourth-tier French club Hyères in May, began his journey as a senior pro in 1996 at PSG. 
      The former France international, who has 69 senior international caps, underwent spells at Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester City between 1997 and 2005. 
      Anelka later played for seven different sides over ten years –  including Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers and West Brom Albion- between 2005 and 2015.
      Jose Mourinho reveals why France went out of Euro 2020 More

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      Chelsea and France talisman N’Golo Kante deserves Ballon d’Or, claims ex-Man Utd star Louis Saha

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      N’GOLO KANTE deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, according to former France star Louis Saha.The Chelsea superstar, 30, has been in dominant form all year for club and country.
      Chelsea and France star N’Golo Kante deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, according to SahaCredit: AFP
      Ex-Man Utd striker Saha believes Kante deserves to win the Ballon d’Or over the likes of Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Kante was the Blues’ most-important player as they went on to win the Champions League.
      The Frenchman put in Man of the Match displays in both legs of the semi-final and the final itself.
      And Kante’s red-hot form continued into Euro 2020 as the tireless midfielder put in a dominant display as France beat Germany 1-0.
      Paul Pogba had already called for his international team-mate to win the Ballon d’Or – which famously favours forwards, such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
      When asked if Kante deserved to win the Ballon d’Or, Saha told GamblingDeals: “If he did, I believe he would deserve it.
      “There is no player, not even Ronaldo or Messi, that has been Man of the Match in both legs of the Champions League semi-final and final.
      “Dominating the midfield alone whilst at the same time helping players moving forward. Going forward he was just a force.
      “I haven’t seen anyone do anything like that.”

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      Saha continued: “I do remember some other winners of the Ballon d’Or, no disrespect to them, earning this amazing prize without those types of performances.
      “So it would not be a scandal at all if Kante gets his hands on the trophy, he’s been unreal.
      “He plays as two players, playing outside of his role, moving forward and doing things that he’s not supposed to do.
      “Those aren’t the characteristics of Messi or Ronaldo, where they stick to their job, scoring goals and amazing individual things…
      “But it’s also about being able to do both. He’s unbelievable.”
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      Dortmund reject Man Utd’s Ballon d’Or clause in Jadon Sancho transfer fee and want ‘realistic add-ons’

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have reportedly rejected Manchester United’s proposed Ballon d’Or clause in any deal for Jadon Sancho.SunSport revealed this week that the Red Devils have agreed personal terms with the England winger, worth £350,000-a-week over five years.
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      Borussia Dortmund have rejected a Ballon d’Or clause in any deal for Jadon SanchoCredit: Alamy
      Borussia Dortmund are insisting United increase their offer of £61million to £78m, with a further £10m in add-ons, but this is expected to happen.
      United expect the deal to go through smoothly after a summer of wrangling last year when they refused to meet the German club’s £110m price.
      According to the Athletic, the last part of the transfer is largely down to bonuses with Dortmund keen on realistically achievable add-ons.
      The Bundesliga giants are said to be seeking instalments that are based on club income via team success rather than individual awards.
      That has caused Dortmund to reject United’s Ballon d’Or clause that would have been triggered if Sancho finished in the top three in the annual gong.

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      The Old Trafford outfit had successfully managed to include the stipulation in their deal with Sporting Lisbon to sign Bruno Fernandes last year.
      Sancho meanwhile confirmed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players have been speaking to him on England duty about return to Manchester.
      He said: “Of course, all the boys have a lot of questions. When you do well, speculation is always going to come around.

      “I just tell the boys, ‘look, I’m focused on football at the moment’ and we just focus on the Euros, step by step.”
      Speaking to talkSPORT, Sancho was asked if he could be distracted by the move during the Euros.
      He said: “No, I’m cool about it. It’s just how you handle that on the pitch, so just keep doing what you’re doing.
      “If you keep doing that then I’m sure it won’t be a problem because the main thing is my football and that’s what I’m focused on at the moment.”
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      Fran Kirby can finally end Chelsea’s Champions League drought and should be a shoo-in for the Ballon d’Or

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      IT IS Fran Kirby’s world and we’re just living in it.There was no better occasion than a League Cup final on Mother’s Day for Kirby to remind us just how far she has come.
      Fran Kirby helped Chelsea snap up the Conti Cup last weekCredit: Getty
      She scored and pointed to the sky as a poignant tribute to her mum Denise, while helping Chelsea cruise to a 6-0 victory over Bristol City at Wembley last Sunday.
      The strike sensation was also wearing the No 14 shirt to mark June 14 — her mum’s birthday.
      Denise tragically passed away in 2008 of a brain haemorrhage when Kirby was only 14-years-old.
      The striker has bravely spoken about how the grief hit her a few years later during an England training camp and eventually she quit football while battling depression.
      Gradually, she fell back in love with the game through her mate’s Sunday League team.
      Kirby celebrated every goal she scored in the local park the same way she does now in front of millions of people.
      But it’s the unseen side of her life that prepared her to be the superstar she is now and unlocked her potential, on the field and off.
      She has helped fire the Blues into the Champions League quarter-finals, with their first-leg clash against Wolfsburg on Wednesday.
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      In my eyes, there is no doubt she should win the next Ballon d’Or. I watched her against Everton and she was the bright spark.
      The former Reading ace is also on track to star for Team GB and England at next year’s home Euros.
      I remember her first England call-up under Mark Sampson and it was no surprise she was dubbed the “mini Messi” during her first World Cup, aged 21, in 2015.
      An in-form Kirby could be the difference in England finally ending years of hurt, having NEVER lifted a major trophy.
      In my eyes, there is no doubt she should win the next Ballon d’Or. I watched her against Everton on Wednesday and she was the bright spark.
      Kirby was the one who picked up the pieces when Melanie Leupolz missed a first-minute penalty.
      The pint-sized forward netted the opener when the team looked wounded and rattled.
      She only recently recovered from a rare condition called pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart.
      She learned of her diagnosis in November 2019 and was told she may never play football again.
      Kirby shot to fame with hometown club ReadingCredit: PA:Press Association
      The forward was on scintillating form in the recent win over EvertonCredit: Getty
      The condition also left her unable to do the most basic of tasks, like walking up the stairs.
      Just over a year later she became Chelsea’s all-time top scorer — passing 68-goal Eniola Aluko — and I couldn’t be prouder of my mate.
      She has been hitting the net with her eyes closed this term and is the second highest scorer with 12 goals and seven assists.
      Emma Hayes has a star-studded Blues attack, with some of the world’s best strikers.
      Pernille Harder arrived in the summer to slot in alongside Australian superstar Sam Kerr and Beth England.
      While Kirby was on the sidelines recovering from her heart condition, some thought there may not be a place for her in the starting XI among those heavyweights.

      But she has silenced the critics and the four of them are working in perfect harmony.
      Manager Hayes is desperate to end Chelsea’s Champions League trophy drought.
      And in my eyes, Kirby can be the one to finally make it happen this year.
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      The amazing rise of Fran Kirby from being told she may never play again to Chelsea’s all-time top scorer More