Jamie Vardy nominated for Ballon d'Or

Vardy fired Leicester City to the Premier League title and made his tournament debut for England at Euro 2016.

The 29-year-old former Stocksbridge Park Steels striker, who scored 24 goals in a historic season for the Foxes, was named on a 30-man list of nominees for the prestigious award, which is currently held by Messi.

Vardy is the only Englishman nominated for the prize and one of eight Premier League-based prize up for the honour.

Vardy is not the only Leicester player whose achievements have been recognised, however.

Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez - the PFA Players’ Player of the Year - is on the shortlist.

Manchester City and city rivals United will hope Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba threaten the top three when journalists begin the next round of voting, while West Ham’s free-kick specialist Dimitri Payet and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are also contenders.

Regular victors Messi and Ronaldo - the latter having endured a lean year by his usual prolific standards - will face stiff competition from the likes of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Robert Lewandowski.

Breakthrough stars Paulo Dybala, Antoine Griezmann and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will provide further cause for concern to the world game’s established top order.

Among the surprise omissions from the list are Manchester United keeper David De Gea, Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil and Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci.

Michael Owen was the last English player to win the prize in 2001.