Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (pictured) and Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin have both joined the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist.
The 30 candidates are being announced in stages throughout Monday with both players confirmed in the second batch of five players.
Courtois won the Golden Glove at this summer’s World Cup for his stellar performances with Belgium before he joined Madrid from Chelsea in a €35m deal.
Godin helped Atletico to the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup crowns this season while he impressed for Uruguay in their run to the World Cup quarter-finals this summer.
In what is an alphabetic release, former Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo alongside Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne and Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino have been included.
The Ballon d'Or, an award presented since 1956, is handed to the best player of that year with the ceremony in Paris on 3 October.
Ronaldo has also won each of the last two editions while Luka Modric won FIFA’s The Best award this year while Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale were included in the first batch of players.
