Inter Milan fans might be left scratching their heads as the 2024 Ballon d’Or top 30 list unfolds.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, both Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu will represent the Nerazzurri in this year’s prestigious football award race.
In a surprising twist, Nicolò Barella, who ranked 27th in 2023, won’t make the cut.
Ci siamo, il 4 settembre arrivano i candidati al #BallonDor: saranno pochi i rappresentanti della Serie A 🏆 https://t.co/PVIMxYRAxc
— GOAL Italia (@GoalItalia) September 3, 2024
Lautaro Martinez’s numbers speak for themselves.
The Argentine striker topped the Serie A scoring charts last season, netting 21 goals and helping Inter to a league title.
He also led Argentina to Copa America triumph, finishing as top scorer with 5 goals.
Martinez’s form last year sees him tipped to potentially finish in the top five of the Ballon d’Or rankings.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Hakan Calhanoglu will be included in the Ballon d’Or top 30 list, while Italy international Nicolò Barella will be left out, and Yann Sommer will be a Yashin Trophy candidate. https://t.co/TIYgjX2jxJ #FCIM #Inter #Lautaro #Calhanoglu
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) September 4, 2024
Hakan Calhanoglu, meanwhile, proved crucial for Inter’s midfield.
His playmaking abilities saw him register 8 assists in Serie A, while also contributing 6 goals of his own.
Gazzetta indicates that his form was recognised, as he secures his place among football’s elite in 2024.
However, Barella’s exclusion is a major surprise.
The Italian midfielder played 47 games across all competitions last season, contributing 8 goals and 7 assists for Inter.
Despite ranking 27th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or list, his performances this year seem to have fallen just short in the eyes of the selectors.
Yann Sommer für Yashin-Trophäe als bester Goalie nominiert https://t.co/6Fsik3Zkka #internazionale
— 4-4-2.com (@www442ch) September 4, 2024
Adding to the Inter representation, goalkeeper Yann Sommer is set to be nominated for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper in the world.
The Swiss international helped Inter secure the league title and also performed admirably in the Champions League, with 12 clean sheets across all competitions.
The full list of Ballon d’Or nominees will be revealed on October 28, during a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
