The Ballon d’Or 2022 men’s shortlist candidates are Thibaut Courtois, Rafael Leao, Christopher Nkunku, Mohamed Salah, Joshua Kimmich, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Vinicius Junior, Bernardo Silva, Luis Diaz, Robert Lewandowski, Riyad Mahrez, Casemiro, Heung-Min Son, Fabinho, Karim Benzema, Mike Maignan, Harry Kane, Darwin Nunez, Phil Foden, Sadio Mane, Sebastien Haller, Luka Modric, Antonio Rudiger, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne, Dusan Vlahovic, Virgil van Dijk, Joao Cancelo, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Benzema looks to be the one headed for the prestigious individual prize, given the Real Madrid striker scored 44 goals in 46 games to help his side win the La Liga title, Champions League, Supercopa de Espana and UEFA Super Cup during the past year.
African champion, Mane and Polish international Lewandoski could make the last three shortlists at the awards gala set to be held tonight in Paris.
Lewandoski missed out on the 2021 prize when many thought he was going to win as Messi took home the copper trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo who has not attended the awards in the last five years is expected to be in attendance tonight.
The 37-year-old Manchester United FC forward who has won the award five times is on the 30-man shortlist for the 2022 award while his long-time rival and seven-time winner Lionel Messi who controversially won the award last year did not make it in the shortlist for the first time since 2005.
