Albanian midfielder Granit Xhaka, who currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, has been named among the top 30 footballers of 2024 and is in contention to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or, the most coveted individual award in the world of sports.
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| Granit Xhaka performing with his hands the Albanian symbol of the double headed eagle after scoring against Serbia in the Euro 2016 |
Xhaka, the orchestrator of Leverkusen's midfield, was one of the key players who led "The Aspirins" to secure their first-ever Bundesliga title in the club's history. His outstanding performances throughout the season did not go unnoticed, and France Football has rewarded the 30-year-old by including him in the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place on October 28 in Paris, where renowned football personalities will gather to honor the best players of the year.
This year, Xhaka faces stiff competition for the award, with other top players like Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, as well as Manchester City's Rodri, all considered strong favorites for the Ballon d'Or.
Graniti's remarkable season with Bayer Leverkusen was further highlighted by their undefeated run in the Bundesliga, as well as adding the DFB-Pokal and the German Super Cup to his collection of silverware.