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The shortlist for the world’s most prestigious individual football award has been unveiled in anticipation of the ceremony scheduled for October 30 in Paris. Leading the pack are Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, two of the standout contenders for this coveted accolade.

Messi’s inclusion is especially significant as he was absent from the shortlist last year. If he secures the men’s Ballon d’Or this year, it would mark his eighth win of the award, with Cristiano Ronaldo closely following with five victories. Additionally, Messi earned the Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the second time in February.

The announcement of the winner is scheduled to take place during a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30.

Messi’s leadership was instrumental in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in December, a major achievement that had eluded him throughout his remarkable 21-year career until then.

Messi had a mixed year for his club. He struggled at Paris Saint-Germain, but he did help the team win its 11th Ligue 1 title as they were eliminated from the Champions League at the round of 16 stage for the second consecutive season.

He chose to join Inter Miami on a free transfer this summer instead of staying in Paris, and he immediately made a difference by helping them win the Leagues Cup and advance to the U.S. Open Cup final.

Erling Haaland, who was also nominated, could be Messi’s toughest rival for the honour. The Norwegian forward helped Manchester City win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League by tallying 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions.

In his first season in England, the 23-year-old shattered the Premier League’s single-season goal-scoring record with 36 goals.

The striker also took up a number of individual honours for his outstanding exploits, including PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, and Men’s Player of the Year from the Football Writers’ Association.

As expected, the list of nominees for this year’s award is heavily populated by players from Manchester City and Argentina.

Seven individuals who played pivotal roles in Manchester City’s triumphant treble-winning season, including Erling Haaland, have secured spots on the shortlist. Additionally, four Argentine players, including Lionel Messi, who contributed to their nation’s historic third World Cup victory, have also earned well-deserved nominations.

Full list of men’s Ballon d’Or nominees:
André Onana – Manchester United/Cameroon
Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City/Croatia
Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad
Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich/Germany
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool/Egypt
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid/England
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal/England
Randal Kolo Muani – Paris Saint-Germain/France
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City/Belgium
Bernardo Silva – Manchester City/Portugal
Emiliano Martínez – Aston Villa/Argentina
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli/Georgia
Rúben Dias – Manchester City/Portugal
Nicolo Barella – Inter Milan/Italy
Erling Haaland – Manchester City/Norway
Yassine Bounou – Al Hilal/Morocco
Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal/Norway
Julián Álvarez – Manchester City/Argentina
Ilkay Gündogan – Barcelona/Germany
Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid/Brazil
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami/Argentina
Rodri – Manchester City/Spain
Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan/Argentina
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid/France
Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona/Poland
Kylian Mbappé – Paris Saint-Germain/France
Kim Min-jae – Napoli/South Korea
Victor Osimhen – Napoli/Nigeria
Luka Modric – Real Madrid/Croatia
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich/England

The nominees for the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or are here! 🤩🏆

Plenty of Premier League representation! 👊 pic.twitter.com/VplS8vkZGD

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 6, 2023

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Manchester City have confirmed the signing of center-back Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.

City reportedly agreed to pay an initial £77.5 million to get Gvardiol. He has completed a transfer from RB Leipzig to the current Premier League and European winners. The medical with the Cityzens was announced by manager Pep Guardiola on Friday, and the deal has since been finalised.

A five-year contract has been signed by Gvardiol, who becomes City’s second arrival of the summer after fellow Croatian Mateo Kovacic’s move from Chelsea.

The defender joins John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte as Guardiola’s centre-back options for the new campaign.

Welcome, Josko! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/h5twzhVNy1

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2023

“I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me,” Gvardiol said. “Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the Treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has.

“To be joining City is something very special for me and my family. To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.

“To be linking up with Mateo Kovacic will also be special. He’s a top footballer and I hope we can both help City achieve another successful season in 2023/24 and then beyond.”

🤳 pic.twitter.com/HCDOYfGLYn

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2023

Director of football Txiki Begiristain added: “We are very happy to bring Josko to Manchester City. He is a player we have watched closely, and we feel he has a superb set of attributes.

“Top clubs all over Europe have been monitoring him, so to bring him here is great news for us.

“Josko has so many qualities – everything you want in a centre-half. He is fast, competitive, combative, strong in the air, impressive in possession of the ball, with strong self-belief and a good character. He is left-footed, too, which offers us good options at the back.

“He is still young but his progress in the game has been rapid. We feel confident his upward trajectory will continue here at City working with Pep and his staff.”

We're delighted to announce the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig! ✍️

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2023

On Sunday, Manchester City plays Arsenal in the Community Shield, and on Friday, August 11, they play Burnley in the Premier League opener.

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City have agreed a fee of £77.5 million for Gvardiol, with add-ons that might make the transfer the most expensive ever involving a centre-back.

Guardiola has officially verified that Gvardiol is in Manchester to finalize his move. Gvardiol’s childhood nickname was Guardiola owing to the evident similarities between the two names.

“Gvardiol, what a beautiful surname he has!” Guardiola joked during a press conference.

“He is doing a medical test. Everybody knows he is here. Hopefully, we can finish the deal in the next few hours or days.”

If everything goes as planned, Gvardiol would join Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and Aymeric Laporte as City’s sixth centre back, with Kyle Walker occasionally switching from right back.

“The season is so long. [Six] is not too much],” Guardiola said of his defensive group.

As Bayern Munich tries to entice the England international away from City, Walker’s future there is uncertain, but Guardiola is willing to fight to keep him.

He said: “[Walker] is so important to us. We want [him] and will do everything. We want him to stay because he wants to stay. We will do everything.”

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Gvardiol completed the first phase of his medical test today while he was with Man City in a “secret” location. The cost for the Croatian centre-back to join Manchester City has just been agreed upon by the two teams. After Mateo Kovacic, Gvardiol will be Manchester City’s second summer signing; the deal was completed today.

Personal terms were agreed upon in June because Joko only wanted to sign a long-term contract to join Man City as his future club.

Leipzig is said to be holding out for a bid of at least €100 million, which would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history but the fee agreed was not disclosed.

With Aymeric Laporte set to leave and City still trying to persuade Kyle Walker to stay, Gvardiol is seen as the ideal signing.

Gvardiol’s contract with Leipzig includes a £97 million release clause that becomes active in 2024, but City want to sign him now.

Guardiola has always admired the young centre-back, notably his ability to win duels and play on the ball.

The City manager prefers to sign Gvardiol over a full-back because he intends to deploy a four-centre-back formation again next season.

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The sports director of RB Leipzig has revealed Josko Gvardiol’s desire to sign with Manchester City this summer.

The signing of Croatian defender Joko Gvardiol by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team appears to be getting closer.

According to reports, the 21-year-old defender has already reached a personal agreement with the triple winners, but RB Leipzig has now revealed that they are in transfer negotiations with City.

On Sunday, RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl told German outlet LVZ: “I can confirm that Joško Gvardiol and agents told us about their desire to move to Manchester City. We are in talks with Manchester. That’s all there is to say at the moment.”

Leipzig is said to be holding out for a bid of at least €100 million, which would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history.

City are looking to strengthen their defense after signing midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea for £25 million. With Aymeric Laporte set to leave and City still trying to persuade Kyle Walker to stay, Gvardiol is seen as the ideal signing.

Gvardiol’s contract with Leipzig includes a £97 million release clause that becomes active in 2024, but City want to sign him now.

Guardiola has always admired the young centre-back, notably his ability to win duels and play on the ball.

The City manager prefers to sign Gvardiol over a full-back because he intends to deploy a four-centre-back formation again next season.

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After serving the Croatian team for 13 and a half years, Dejan Lovren confirmed his retirement from the international level.

The centre-back featured in every game in his side’s unexpected run to the 2018 World Cup final, where they were beaten 4-2 by France, earning 78 caps for his country during that time and tallying five goals in the process.

The seasoned defender, who has made 563 appearances for club and country, made his international debut in an exhibition match against Qatar in October 2009, which Slaven Bilic’s team went on to win 3-2.

In a strange turn of events, his final international appearance for his nation took place in Qatar, although it resulted in a 3-0 loss to eventual World Cup champions Argentina in the 2022 tournament’s semifinals, with the former Liverpool star faltering at the back.

In an open letter to his fans, Lovren called his decision to hang up his boots for his nation “somber news” and discussed the emotions he had experienced.

As a spokesperson of the Vatreni, he also urged young supporters to “look up to” the Croatian squad as “your superheroes” in his final message.

‘I want to address you today with some somber news, but believe me, the decision that I am about to announce is one that I made with an open heart and a lot of consideration,’ the ex-Liverpool star began.

‘This announcement does not come easily to me, and while I am writing this letter, I am doing my best not to cry, but I hope by now you have come to know me as a man with heart and a man that does not hide his emotions.

‘The time has come for me to say my final goodbye to the Croatian national team, though I will remain a huge supporter of the Vetrani and will follow the team in each coming match.’

He added: ‘I want to tell every single young football player in the country that they must look at the Croatian national team as a completely other dimension of football – look at these players as your superheroes.’

With 19 international appearances under his belt, Lovren ranks 19th all-time in Croatian history and was an integral part of one of their most successful teams.

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Lovren not only won silver in the 2018 competition, but he also played a key role in the defense for the team that won bronze in Qatar in 2022 after defeating Morocco in the third-place play-off.

Throughout his time with the Vetrani, Lovren represented his country at four different World Cups, as well as the postponed 2020 European Championships, when his team was eliminated in the round of 16.

He thanked each of his past coaches after describing his delight in donning the renowned red-and-white check shirt and his belief that he had committed several mistakes in his early years with the squad.

But he singled out the past five years with Croatia as his most fondly-remembered, adding: ‘The most beautiful chapters of my national team story were the ones that we wrote in the past five years. This is, if I’m being honest, still a complete dream to me. 

‘So many emotions went through me, especially in 2018 and 2022, and I find it difficult to put these experiences into words. 

‘I lived my life in hope that I would get to experience moments like those, and when they did come, I lived them with immense pride. These memories will remain in my heart forever.’

He also offered a word to his team-mates, adding: ‘I want to thank all of my former and current team-mates on this beautiful, unforgettable journey. We had our ups and downs, we cried together and we celebrated together, and I’ll always carry you in my heart. 

‘I spent more than a decade playing with some of you. I see you as my brothers, and you stood by me in my toughest moments. Thank you.‘

The 33-year-old currently turns out for French side Lyon, having arrived from Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg – who he joined after the end of his successful spell at Liverpool in 2020.

Lovren won the Champions League, Premier League, and UEFA Supercup at Anfield, but he never took home a trophy for his nation.

In addition to Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, Darijo Srna, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic, Lovren was a member of one of Croatia’s best generations of players.

He departs a side that has the likely long and successful career of Josko Gvardiol to look forward to, with the RB Leipzig star set to feature for Croatia for at least the next decade, aged just 21.

Lovren ended his announcement with a call for his national teammates to pull together and continue to show the unity ‘that sets us apart from everyone else’.

‘I’d like to say one more thing – I might be stepping down as a player, but at least you’re gaining a new fan. Let’s stick by each other’s side like we have so far, because the unity among us has always been the one quality that sets us apart from everyone else – it is our greatest strength.

‘From the bottom of my heart, thank you,’ he concluded.

Thank you @HNS_CFF for everything!

Forever in my heart. ❤️🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/GSebjeEKK8

— Dejan Lovren (@Dejan06Lovren) February 23, 2023

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Josko Gvardiol has made it clearer than ever before that he wants to sign with Chelsea.

The Blues have long been linked with a deal for the Croatian defender, who RB Leipzig is said to value at over £110 million.

Gvardiol talked to The Times about his enthusiasm for Christopher Nkunku and his ambition to follow the French striker, who is poised to join Chelsea in the summer in a nearly-agreed £55 million move.

“I have never seen before a player like Christoph, he is unbelievable,” Gvardiol stated.

“Every time I talk with someone about him I always say wherever he goes I want to go with him.”

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• Graham Potter agrees feeling pressure at Chelsea
• Croatia’s Gvardiol discusses Messi’s drubbing of him in the 2022 World Cup semifinal.
• Josko Gvardiol breaks silence on Chelsea interest.

Gvardiol has acknowledged being “puzzled” by Leipzig’s refusal to sell him in recent transfer windows, with Chelsea competing for his signing with Manchester City and Barcelona.

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Chelsea manager Graham Potter has refused to reveal whether the Blues will keep looking for new players during the January transfer window.

Nearly £280m was spent on eight new players during the summer, with new owner Todd Boehly keen to revolutionise the squad. That included in excess of £40m on teenage trio Carney Chukwuemeka, Gabriel Slonina and Cesare Casadei.

Already in January, Chelsea have recruited 19-year-old striker David Datro Fofana from Molde.

Reports claim that a deal worth slightly more than £30 million for Monaco center defender Benoit Badiashile has also been reached after attempts to convince RB Leipzig to part with the more costly Josko Gvardiol fail.

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• De Gea discloses why Ten Hag was angry despite Bournemouth win.
• Potter gives me ‘freedom and confidence’ at Chelsea – Kai Havertz reveals
• Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal ‘cannot waste’ January transfer window

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After having trouble containing Lionel Messi in the World Cup semifinals, Josko Gvardiol claims he will gain knowledge from the experience of playing against him.

Messi embarrassed the Croatian defence in the World Cup semifinal between the two sides by turning him inside-out and finding a way through him to set up Julian Alvarez for the third goal.

The centre-back, who believes he held his own against Messi for the full 90 minutes, asserted that the attacker is a different animal when representing his country.

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• Josko Gvardiol breaks silence on Chelsea interest.

He told reporters: “It was a nice experience even though I played against him in the club last season. He is a completely different type of player in the club and in the national team, I am glad that I played against him even though we lost. But today and tomorrow I will be able to tell the children that I guarded Messi for 90 minutes. I guess we will beat him next time.”

Gvardiol’s reputation among the European elite is still improving despite Messi’s constant manipulation of him. The RB Leipzig defender, who will not be cheap after signing a contract extension with the club in the summer, is reportedly being pursued by Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.

By eliminating Croatia, Argentina earned a spot in the national title game, where they will play France on Sunday. On Saturday, Croatia will compete against Morocco for third place.

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After an outstanding showing against Croatia in the World Cup semifinal, Luis Suarez praised his former teammate Lionel Messi, calling him “wonderful.”

On Tuesday night, Messi gave Argentina the lead with a first-half penalty, but he really stole the show with a stunning move that saw him sprint into the penalty area past a bewildered Josko Gvardiol and set up Julian Alvarez for his team’s third goal.

The 3-0 victory guarantees that Lionel Scaloni’s team will play either France or Morocco in the final on Sunday.

Suarez was keen to recognise Messi’s achievements, the pair played together at Barcelona for six years and are believed to be close, as he said via Instagram: ‘You Never get tired of showing that you are the best in the world.

‘The whole world stops to applaud this guy and what he’s given to football. Incredible my friend!’

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Messi surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments by opening the scoring against Croatia. With 25 games played at the World Cup finals, he also tied German legend Lothar Matthaus’ record.

Despite the milestones, he had reached and the prospect of an upcoming World Cup final, Messi seemed calm after the game, as he told reporters: ‘We were confident that this group was going to pull it off. We know what we are and we ask the people to believe in us.

‘We have been through tough situations, other very good ones. Today, we are living something spectacular.’

The 35-year-old won’t have another chance to win the World Cup once he departs Qatar, so Sunday’s match might be the pinnacle of his spectacular career.

It will confirm him as the greatest footballer of all time for many if he follows in the footsteps of Diego Maradona, another star of Argentina.

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Brazil will make an effort to maintain their chances of winning a record-extending sixth world title when they square off with Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals on Friday at Education City Stadium.

Croatia will face Brazil in a matchup between two groups that put on contrasting performances to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

Brazil’s second-round encounter against South Korea was finished after 12 minutes, finally clanging in four daring first-half goals, but Croatia labored through 120 minutes and penalties to edge past Japan.

Brazil has dropped each of their last five elimination games against European teams since defeating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup final.

The Selecao has faced Croatia four times before, but has never lost. Additionally, their 1-0 group-stage setback to Cameroon last week was their only loss in their previous 19 matches, which is encouraging going into Friday’s match.

• Team News:

Borna Sosa and Josip Stanisic of Croatia missed their team’s victory over Japan due to illness and a muscle injury, respectively. The former should be able to play and might take Borna Barisic’s spot at left-back, while the latter is still questionable and will be evaluated before kickoff.

Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic, three midfield masters who, along with Barisic and Dejan Lovren, are just one caution away from suspension, are all set to keep their spots in Dalic’s starting lineup on Friday.

In fact, Lovren and coveted starlet Josko Gvardiol will continue their defensive partnership, while Marko Livaja and Ante Budimir will compete to replace Bruno Petkovic as the central striker. On the flanks, Perisic and Andrej Kramaric are prepared to re-start.

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Brazil will be without Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles for the rest of the World Cup due to knee ailments, and Alex Sandro is questionable due to a hip issue.

After missing the two previous games, the 31-year-old has been working out by himself with the team’s physical trainer. If the Juventus teammate is not declared fit to start, Danilo will likely take his place at left-back, joining Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, and Eder Militao in the back four.

Three Selecao players, including Militao, Fred, and Bruno Guimaraes, are only one caution away from missing a potential semifinal match. The latter two are anticipated to start again on the bench as Tite prefers Casemiro and Paqueta to start in center midfield.

Star forward Neymar is expected to continue in an advanced role between wings Raphinha and Vinicius Junior while Richarlison is expected to lead the team up front after overcoming an ankle injury to start and score against South Korea.

• Possible Lineup:

Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic

Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Casemiro, Paqueta; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr; Richarlison

• Score Prediction:

Prediction: Croatia 1-2 Brazil.

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