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FULL LIST: Messi, Haaland And Bonmati Lead Ballon d’Or Nominees

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Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are among the leading contenders to win this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or, while Spain World Cup star Aitana Bonmati leads the nominees announced on Wednesday for the women’s prize.

Messi, who recently left Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami, is in with a chance of succeeding Karim Benzema and winning the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his remarkable career after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year.

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Haaland may be his main rival for the prize after scoring 52 goals in 53 games to help Manchester City win the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season.

READ ALSO: Tribunal Strikes Out LP’s Case Against Tinubu, Reads Atiku’s Petitions

The Norway striker last week won the UEFA player of the year award for last season.

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PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Haaland’s City teammate Kevin De Bruyne also feature among the 30 nominees for the prize, the winner of which will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 30.

Benzema, who ended a 14-year spell at Real Madrid in June when he moved to Saudi club Al-Ittihad, is also nominated.

Bonmati, winner of the UEFA women’s player award, appears the favourite to claim the Ballon d’Or after being the outstanding player as Spain lifted the World Cup in Sydney last month.

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She also starred as Barcelona won the Champions League and will hope to succeed her club and international colleague Alexia Putellas, winner in the last two years.

READ ALSO: Ballon d’Or 2023: When Nominees Will Be Announced, Ceremony Date, Favourites To Win

Putellas is not nominated this time having hardly played for Barcelona last season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament in July 2022 which kept her out for nine months.

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Bonmati is one of four members of Spain’s World Cup-winning team nominated, along with Olga Carmona, Salma Paralluelo and Alba Redondo.

Their compatriots Patricia Guijarro and Mapi Leon are also named.

Both of Barcelona, they did not go to the World Cup after being among a group of 15 players who said last year they no longer wanted to play for Spain in a protest against the Spanish federation and coach Jorge Vilda.

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Others included in the 30 nominees are Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr and England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

AFP

 

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Pogba Signs For Monaco, Hoping To Revive Career

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Paul Pogba has signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco to return to football after a near two-year absence, the club announced on Saturday.

The 2018 World Cup winner has made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, an 18-month doping ban and an extortion case in which he was the victim.

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Pogba failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and has been free to return to football since March, although his contract at the Italian giants had been terminated last year.

The midfielder will now play club football in Ligue 1 for the first time in his professional career.

READ ALSO:Why I Hired A Witch Doctor – Paul Pogba

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I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it’s just a matter of time,” the 32-year-old told French television last weekend.

Pogba played in the Le Havre youth team before signing for Manchester United in 2009.

He made only a handful of first-team appearances for the three-time European champions before signing for Juventus in 2012.

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Pogba won four consecutive Serie A titles in Turin before rejoining United for a then-world record 105 million euros ($123 million).

READ ALSO:Transfer: Another Player Leaves Man United After Pogba

He moved back to Juventus three years ago but struggled with a series of injuries.

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In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros from Pogba in 2022.

Pogba has scored 11 goals in 91 appearances for the France national team, playing a starring role and scoring in their World Cup final victory over Croatia seven years ago.

His new club Monaco will play in the Champions League next season after finishing third in Ligue 1 last term.

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Chelsea Set To Offload Jackson, Madueke, 8 Others [See list]

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Chelsea are reportedly planning a major squad overhaul this summer, with as many as 10 players facing the exit door, according to The Athletic.

Among those who could be sold are Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku, as the club aims to raise funds for new signings and streamline their squad ahead of the new season.

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Also on the list of potential departures are Djordje Petrovic, Armando Broja, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka, and newly signed Renato Veiga.

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Many of these Chelsea players spent last season out on loan and may now be moved on permanently.

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The club’s transfer strategy is geared towards meeting key summer objectives, with player sales expected to provide the financial muscle needed to reinforce specific areas of the squad.

Chelsea have already made moves in the transfer market, including the €35.5 million acquisition of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

READ ALSO: Full List: Maresca No Longer Needs Nine Players At Chelsea

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His arrival could push Jackson further down the pecking order, with the striker now being considered for a potential sale.

One of the top targets for the Blues is Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who is seen as a potential replacement for Madueke on the wing.

While Chelsea are keen to trim their squad and raise funds, the departures of Jackson, Madueke, and Nkunku will largely depend on the calibre of offers they receive from interested clubs.

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As the Blues prepare for a demanding new season, the coming weeks could see a flurry of transfer activity at Stamford Bridge.

 

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Brighton Sign Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

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Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of Nigerian international goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on a free transfer from Paris FC.

The 24-year-old will officially join the club on 1 July, following the expiration of her contract with the French side.

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Nnadozie brings a wealth of experience to the Seagulls, having earned 55 caps for Nigeria since making her senior debut in 2018.

READ ALSO:Everything You Need To Know About Éric Chelle: The New Head Coach Of The Super Eagles

She also boasts significant European pedigree, having featured in 16 UEFA Women’s Champions League matches for Paris FC between 2022 and 2025.

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Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic praised the new arrival, saying: “She’s a talented and commanding goalkeeper who will bring consistency and confidence to our defensive line.”

He added: “We’re confident she’ll add both depth and drive to a squad already full of ambition as we continue to build for next season.”

 

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