Nine England stars nominated as world's best players

Image source, EPA/Reuters

Image caption, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Lucy Bronze are nominated for the Ballon d'Or

The nominations for the world's best football players have been announced, and a host of England's men and women stars feature.

Six of the England men's team from Euro 2024, along with three of England's Lionesses, are nominated for the Ballon d'Or prize for the best player - one of the top individual awards in football.

Also on the list are several players from the WSL and the Premier League.

Let's take a look!

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Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Erling Haaland didn't play at the Euros as Norway didn't qualify

We can start with the men's team who helped England get to their second European Championships final.

From that team come Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Man City's Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice from Arsenal, Cole Palmer from Chelsea, and Harry Kane who plays for German team Bayern Munich.

Most of them had good seasons for their clubs as well as for their countries.

And the same goes for some of their club-mates: Man City stars Erling Haaland, Rodri and Ruben Dias are on the list, as well as Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Martin Odegaard and William Saliba (both Arsenal).

Also making the grade are Spain's young Euros superstar Lamine Yamal and France and real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé.

However for the first time in more than 20 years, neither Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi have been nominated.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Lauren James is nominated as the world's best women player

For the Ballon d'Or Feminin, which awards the best women's player in the game, Lauren James, Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp are among the nominees.

All three players played in the 2023 Women's World Cup final, where the Lionesses were beaten by Spain.

Last year's winner - Aitana Bonmati - is also on the list.

There are four Chelsea players on the list - Germany midfielder Sjoeke Nusken, Colombia striker Mayra Ramirez, as well as Lucy Bronze and Lauren James.

Japan midfielder Yui Hasegawa, who plays for Manchester City, is also named, along with Spain and Arsenal forward Mariona Caldentey.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 28 October.