Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci was named among the first five names nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
The Bianconeri defender has been nominated for the second time in his career, after helping Italy go all the way at the European Championship this summer. He finished 21st in 2017, the last time he was on the list of contenders.
The 34-year-old was a key member of Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri during the EURO 2020 Finals and was part of a Juventus side winning the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana in 2020-21.
The first five players nominated for the Ballon d’Or:
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Manchester City)
N’Golo Kanté (France, Chelsea)
Erling Haaland (Norway, Borussia Dortmund)
Leonardo Bonucci (Italy, Juventus)
Mason Mount (England, Chelsea)