World football governing body Fifa has released a 30 man shortlist for the upcoming world player of the year award.
Cristiano Ronaldo is favourite to win the award for the fifth time in his career to tie longtime rival Lionel Messi, who also makes the list but is not expected to win.
The English Premier League has seven players on the list, including former Manchester United mercurial striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.
Africa is solely represented by Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored 31 goals for Dortmund to win the top scorer in the German Bundesliga.
Below is the full 30 man shortlist for the award, which would be handed out at a ceremony in October.
Pierre Aubameyang (Gabon, Borussia Dortmund), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy, AC Milan), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Daniel Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid), Paulo Dybala (Argentina, Juventus), Antoine Griezmann (France, Atletico Madrid), Eden Hazard (Belgium, Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Manchester United), Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona), Harry Kane (England, Tottenham Hotspur), N’Golo Kante (France, Chelsea), Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica, Real Madrid), Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil, Paris St Germain), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Alexis Sanchez (Chile, Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Barcelona), Arturo Vidal (Chile, Bayern Munich)