Ballon d’Or 2017 Shortlist Analysis: Part 1

The 30-man shortlist for the 2017 Ballon d Or has been announced and the ceremony to announce the winners of this prestigious award will take place in London later this month. In Part 1 of the shortlist analysis we take a look at 15 of the nominees and what they did to justify their inclusion.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund + Gabon)

Not even dodgy orange juice could derail the Dortmund striker’s incredible goal-scoring season. The Gabonese international banged in 31 goals in 32 Bundesliga games last season, finishing as the league’s top scorer, and has already bagged eight in seven games to start off this campaign. Sadly his goal-scoring form couldn’t help Gabon qualify for the World Cup, but at club level Aubameyang is a monster.

Karim Benzema (Real M…