JAMIE VARDY used to work in a factory when playing in non-league – and today he has been nominated for the Ballon D’or.
The Leicester City striker, who scored 24 goals last season as the Foxes won the most unlikely of Premier League titles, was playing for Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Northern Premier League in 2010.
He is nominated for the most prestigious prize for individual footballers along with his Leicester teammate Riyad Mahrez, who used to play in the French lower leagues.
But despite all this, Cristiano Ronaldo is red-hot favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for the fourth time.
The award was presided over by Fifa from 2010 to 2015, but France Football have re-taken charge.
The French magazine are announcing nominees in bunches of fives throughout the day.
Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Gianluigi Buffon, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero were the first names released.
Later in the day Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, who used to play in the French lower leagues, was surprisingly included.
Here is the whole list having been finally announced…
