Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé join NWSL standout Sophia Smith as players nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or and the Ballon d’Or Feminin.
The nominees for the women’s and men’s trophies were announced on Wednesday.
This marks Mbappé’s seventh nomination for the award. He ranked third in voting for the 2023 men’s award won by Argentinian star Lionel Messi.
Smith was one of five U.S. women’s national team members nominated for the award. She joins U.S. Olympic gold medal winners Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan on the list.
The Ballon d’Or evaluates player accomplishments that took place between Aug. 1, 2023 and July 31. The winners of the trophies will be announced Oct. 28 in Paris.
