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The Ballon D'Or Nominees List Features Some Very Unlikely Names

Jeremy Fullam
By Jeremy Fullam
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Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo have got their hands on a copy of the 59 man Ballon D'Or nominees list for 2015 and it's fair to say there's more than a few dodgy inclusions.

One name that immediately jumps out is that of Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina. The Colombian was singled out by many Gunners fans as the main reason for their midweek humiliation against Olympiacos after he practically threw the ball into his net for the visitors second goal.

Giovanni Dos Santos move to LA Galaxy has somehow earned him a mention and there's also a nomination for Christian Atsu who's yet to make a League appearance for Premier League new boys Bournemouth.

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One name that sticks out like a sore thumb is Massimo Luongo. The Australian international only has 13 caps to his name and spent the majority of 2015 plying his trade with League One giants Swindon Town before earning himself a move to Queens Park Rangers in the summer.

As shocked as we are by some of these inclusions it's some of the exclusions which we find even more baffling. Barcelona's treble winning duo Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets have both been overlooked as well as Juventus pair Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonnuci who were pivotal in guiding the Juve to their first Champions League final since 2003.

Whilst these players can count themselves unlucky not to be included they can take solace in the fact that the list will be reduced to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and AN-Other come the ceremony in January.

Here's the list in full.

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Argentina: Aguero (City), Mascherano (Barcelona), Messi (Barcelona),Otamendi (Valencia-City), Pastore (Psg), Tevez (Juve-Boca)
Austria: Alaba (Bayern)
Australia: Luongo (Qpr)
Belgium: Courtois (Chelsea), De Bruyne (Wolfsburg-Man. City), Hazard (Chelsea)
Brazil: Coutinho (Liverpool), Neymar (Barcelona), Willian (Chelsea)
Chile: Bravo (Barcelona), Medel (Inter), Sanchez (Arsenal), Vargas (Qpr-Hoffenheim), Vidal (Juve-Bayern)
Colombia: Bacca (FC Séville-Milan), Martinez (Porto-Atletico), Ospina (Arsenal),Rodriguez (Real)
Croatia: Modric (Real), Rakitic (Barcelona)
England: Kane (Tottenham), Rooney (United)
France: Benzema (Real), Griezmann (Atletico), Lacazette (Lyon), Pogba(Juve)
Germany: Kroos (Real), Muller (Bayern), Neuer (Bayern)
Ghana: Atsu (Everton-Bournemouth), André Ayew (Marseille-Swansea)
Italy: Chiellini (Juve), Pirlo (Juve-New York)
Ivory Coast: Bony (Swansea-City), Touré (City)
Japan: Okazaki (Leicester)
Mexico: Guardado (PSV), Dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
Netherlands: : Depay (Psv-United), Robben (Bayern)
Peru: Guerrero (Corinthians-Flamengo)
Poland: Lewandowski (Bayern)
Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
South Korea: Son (Spurs)
Spain: Diego Costa (Chelsea), De Gea (United), Iniesta (Barcelona), Morata(Juve), Ramos (Real)
Sweden: Ibrahimovic (Psg)
Uruguay: Cavani (Psg), Sanchez (River), Suarez (Barcelona)
Wales: Bale (Real)

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