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Algeria and Leicester midfielder Riyad Mahrez has been included in the 30-man shortlist for football’s biggest award, the Ballon d’Or. Mahrez — who was instrumental in Leicester City’s fairy tale Premier League victory last season — is up against teammate Jamie Vardy.
The 25-year-old scored 17 goals in 37 appearances last season. Mahrez is the second African on the list, which also features Gabon’s Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. The two are front runners for Africa’s award. However, their chances of beating the likes of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristaino Ronaldo are slim.
Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the awards each year since 2007.
