Ballon d’Or 2018 betting odds: Modric favourite to win ahead of Ronaldo and Mbappe
Eleven Premier League players included on the 30-man shortlist
The 30-man shortlist for the 2018 Ballon d’Or has been unveiled, and Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane have all been nominated.
Last month Modric was named the player of the year at the Fifa Best awards, breaking the ten-year stranglehold on the accolade of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The Croatian now stands a good chance of scoring a second victory at what is arguably football’s other most prestigious awards ceremony, in Paris on 3 December.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Eleven Premier League stars feature
There is a healthy representation of Premier League players on the shortlist, with Tottenham and England striker Kane joined by Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante, and Liverpool forwards Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Hugo Lloris (Spurs) and Paul Pogba (Manchester United) are rewarded for helping France win the World Cup in July. Also included are Liverpool and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson and Manchester City duo Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium) and Sergio Aguero (Argentina).
Lionel Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, features on this year’s shortlist too, as does his former Barcelona teammate Neymar - which may surprise some, given that the Brazilian missed several months of Paris Saint-Germain’s season with injury.
What is the criteria?
The shortlist is the work of the editorial office of France Football magazine, and the winner will be selected by a panel of international journalists, with one representative from each country.
As Sky Sports explains: “The panel judge nominees on: their performances during the calendar year, their talent and fair play, and their achievements throughout their career.”
The player who gets the most points in the vote is awarded the Ballon d’Or.
According to The Sun, Modric is the “odds-on favourite” to win in 2018. Ronaldo is the second favourite - despite the recent allegations levelled against him - while France and PSG wonderkid Mbappe is third.
Ballon d’Or 2018 shortlist
- Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Manchester City)
- Alisson (Brazil, Liverpool)
- Gareth Bale (Wales, Real Madrid)
- Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)
- Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium, Manchester City)
- Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, Paris St-Germain)
- Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid)
- Roberto Firmino (Brazil, Liverpool)
- Diego Godin (Uruguay, Atletico Madrid)
- Antoine Griezmann (France, Atletico Madrid)
- Eden Hazard (Belgium, Chelsea)
- Isco (Spain, Real Madrid)
- Harry Kane (England, Tottenham)
- N’Golo Kante (France, Chelsea)
- Hugo Lloris (France, Tottenham)
- Mario Mandzukic (Croatia, Juventus)
- Sadio Mane (Senegal, Liverpool)
- Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris St-Germain)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
- Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid)
- Neymar (Brazil, Paris St-Germain)
- Jan Oblak (Slovenia, Atletico Madrid)
- Paul Pogba (France, Manchester United)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Juventus)
- Ivan Rakitic (Croatia, Barcelona)
- Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
- Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Barcelona)
- Raphael Varane (France, Real Madrid)
Ballon d’Or winner betting odds
Prices according to Sky Bet (as of 9 October)
- Luka Modric: 2/5
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 2/1
- Kylian Mbappe: 12/1
- Lionel Messi: 14/1
- Antoine Griezmann: 16/1
- Mohamed Salah: 18/1
- Harry Kane: 25/1
- Kevin de Bruyne: 33/1
- Neymar: 33/1
- Eden Hazard: 40/1
- Raphael Varane: 40/1
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated