Real Madrid dominates Ballon d’Or nominations
![One of the five FIFA Ballon D'Or Trophy won by Ronaldo seen inside the CR7 Museum located in Funchal seafront, on the island of Madeira, where Portuguese football star grew up and played for amateur team Andorinha from 1992 to 1995.The museum is dedicated to Ronaldo's local, national and international achievements and successes during his carrer to date.On Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images) One of the five FIFA Ballon D'Or Trophy won by Ronaldo seen inside the CR7 Museum located in Funchal seafront, on the island of Madeira, where Portuguese football star grew up and played for amateur team Andorinha from 1992 to 1995.The museum is dedicated to Ronaldo's local, national and international achievements and successes during his carrer to date.On Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/34e627193a7036d2fbdeaede41c1693f8a80862f1ba4d8ce195314933d5a36cd.jpg)
Real Madrid sees eight of their players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or. Here’s a look at the candidates and how they worked their way in.
Yet again Real Madrid is showing it’s dominance in another big award up for grabs. The ceremony will take place in January with further details of the event being released on December 3 in France.
The winner is nominated by his peers, managers and journalists. Each one that his selected to vote must cast three ballots giving five, three and one points to their selection.
The players, managers and journalists that are chosen to vote for the award allocate five, three and one points to three nominated players and the player with the highest number of points of course wins.
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While the event takes place in January, the award is based on the previous season’s results. Meaning that whatever is done or lack thereof by the players between September and December of the following season does not count towards the player’s status.
This year eight players from Real Madrid have been nominated for the award. From an array of position, Madrid makes up nearly a third of the list. The players nominated are Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco, Marcelo, Raphael Varane, Luka Modric, and Sergio Ramos.
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All the players have earned their spot with a fine performance with club or country and for some, both. Last season Real Madrid were unable to pick up a domestic title but their record-breaking work in the Champions League set them apart from the rest. Three in a row is no small feat and the core of the team got the recognition that they deserve.
Luka Modric is one of the front-runners this year after an incredible World Cup campaign with Croatia. The midfielder led his nation to a Final for the first time in the history of the nation. Though they didn’t win in the end they won the hearts of many and Modric won the Golden Ball.
If Luka Modric does win this will be the first time in 10 years that Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi has not won. This breakthrough is by no means easy and its excellence needs to be amplified. Being considered alongside two football giants is a feat in of itself.