Ex-Arsenal captain receives shock Ballon d’Or nomination as six England stars also feature

Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or (Picture: Getty)

Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka received a surprise nomination for the men’s Ballon d’Or alongside current Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and six England players.

Xhaka left the Emirates in July 2023 to join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and end his seven-year stay in north London.

The 30-year-old endured some turbulent moments during his time in the capital, booed off by supporters in 2019 before angrily shouting back at them in an incident that led to him being stripped of the captaincy by Unai Emery.

However, the Swiss captain revitalised his Arsenal career under Mikel Arteta and was a key part of the Gunners side that went toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the 2022/23 season.

Since his move to Leverkusen, Xhaka has continued to flourish and formed a key part of Xabi Alonso’s side that won the Bundesliga while going unbeaten, as well as the German Cup and the German Super Cup.

And having also led his country to the quarter-finals of this summer’s Euro 2024, Xhaka has now been rewarded with his first Ballon d’Or nomination.

He is joined on the 30-man shortlist by fellow Leverkusen players Alejandro Grimaldo and Florian Wirtz.

Xhaka won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen last year (Picture: Getty)

Meanwhile, England saw six of their national team players nominated, with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden all included on the shortlist.

Saka and Rice are joined by fellow Arsenal players Odegaard and William Salbia, with Palmer and Kane the sole representatives from Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively.

Bellingham receives his nomination having won La Liga’s Player of the Season award last year following his incredible maiden season with Real Madrid.

The midfielder is joined on the list by five other Real players, including Vinicius Junior and new summer signing Kylian Mbappe.

Foden, who was crowned FWA Footballer of the Year last season, is joined on the list by Manchester City teammates Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias and Rodri.

This year also marks the first time since 2003 that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have not been nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

The official awards ceremony will take place on Monday 28 October.

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