Overview

• France Football’s shortlist unveiled on August 10 features four defenders among 30 nominees: Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Virgil van Dijk and Denzel Dumfries.
• Barcelona’s domestic treble propelled 18-year-old Lamine Yamal into contention alongside PSG’s Ousmane Dembele as the front-runners.
• Hakimi, who notched 11 goals and 16 assists and struck in the Champions League quarterfinals, semifinals and final, has named a surprise candidate over the expected favourites.
• Barcelona president Joan Laporta publicly endorsed Yamal as the deserving winner based on her consistent impact in matches and training.
• Only three defenders—Franz Beckenbauer, Matthias Sammer and Fabio Cannavaro—have ever won the Ballon d’Or and voting closes before the September 22 ceremony in Paris.