Ronaldo, Bale, Aubameyang lead nominees for the 2016’s Ballon d’Or award

Following its split from world football governing body, Fifa, France Football has began unveiling the nominees for the 2016’s Ballon d’Or award.

Unlike in previous years where the complete shortlist is released at once, for 2016, the organizers are in no hurry to drop the nominees as they have decided to drop in batches of five names spread out across the day to ensure we all have a great time.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is among the first names released after three batches of the 30-man list, along with team-mates Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos.

Others who made the list include Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne representing the premier League, while Borussia Dortmund forward and reigning African footballer of the year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also feature.

Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Gianluigi Buffon the Juventus trio ensure the Serie A has good representation thus far, while Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin, Koke and Antoine Griezmann, Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski complete the first half of the shortlist.

For now, there’s no place for five-time winner and current holder of the award, Lionel Messi, along with his strike partners at Barcelona Luis Suarez and Neymar.

France midfielder Paul Pogba, after his world record switch to Manchester United is yet to make the list.

This year’s edition of the prestigious individual prize will be judged solely by a panel of journalists following the withdrawal of Fifa from the award, unlike what obtained between 2010 and 2015 when the Fifa Ballon d’Or was decided by a combination of votes from national team managers, captains and journalists.