Dimitri Payet has made the 30-name list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or.
The Frenchman has been incredible for the Hammers since signing from Marseille last summer and was hugely influential for France at Euro 2016 in the summer.
In 2016, Payet has contributed 19 assists and 15 goals for club and country and hugely deserves to be nominated.
Of course, he’ll have to beat the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale and Neymar in order win the biggest award a player can win in football.
West Ham have a player nominated for the Ballon D’Or. Congratulations, @dimpayet17! Well deserved! #WHUFC #COYI #ballondor ⚒ pic.twitter.com/PhtkMaQjM1
— WestHamWorld.co.uk (@WestHamWorld) October 24, 2016
However, you can count on the 29-year-old to pick up a number of additional votes for the way in which he lit up France’s efforts as hosts of Euro 2016.
But while we’re all proud of Payet for being nominated – either the first West Ham player to be nominated, or least the first for a number of decades – Arsenal fans are absolutely fuming that Mesut Ozil has not been recognised.
And there’s little wonder why, given the fact Ozil has contributed just eight assists and 12 goals for club and country in 2016. Many players have enjoyed a far better calendar year than the Germany international, not least our man Payet.
https://twitter.com/JackRathborn/status/790595035280596992
The chances of Payet winning it are very slim, but it’s great to have a West Ham player involved.
Sorry Ozil, better luck next year.
