Zlatan Ibrahimovic nominated for Ballon d'Or

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named as a nominee for the 2016 Ballon d'Or.

France Football earlier released an initial list of 10 candidates for the prize for the best footballer in the world, led by Real Madrid pair Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ibrahimovic, who scored 50 goals in 51 games for Paris Saint-Germain before his switch to Old Trafford in the summer, heads the list of the next five to be unveiled.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is the only other member of the latest five not to ply his trade in Spain, with Real Madrid's Toni Kroos, Barcelona's Andres Iniesta and Koke of Atletico Madrid completing the first 15 contenders.

In all, 30 players will be named on the initial shortlist, with the remaining 15 due to be unveiled in groups of five throughout the day.