Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Ballon d'Or shortlist

Ballon d’Or nominees Sergio Aguero, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gianluigi Buffon Ballon d’Or nominees Sergio Aguero, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gianluigi Buffon Real Madrid team-mates Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Cristiano Ronaldo have been confirmed on the 30-man shortlist for the 2016 Ballon d'Or. France Football have announced the first 15 players in contention for the prize, awarded last year to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi. Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne represent the Premier League, while Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Juventus trio Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Gianluigi Buffon also feature.