SNS GroupScotland star Scott McTominay has been included on the shortlist for the prestigious Ballon D’Or award.
The 28-year-old midfielder makes the 30-man list after an impressive season in Italy where he helped Napoli win the Serie A title.
He is the first Scottish men’s player to make the list since Rangers legend Ally McCoist, who finished 21st in 1987.
The Ballon D’Or, which has been running since 1956, recognises the best players in world football and has been won by top stars including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
Denis Law remains the only Scotsman to win the award after his triumph in 1964, with Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone earning the highest placing for a player playing in Scotland with his third-place finish in 1967.
The last player to be nominated while playing in the Scottish Premiership was Japan international Shunsuke Nakamura in 2007.
McTominay, who has 61 Scotland caps, joined Napoli from Manchester United for around £25m a year ago.
In his debut season in Naples he scored 12 goals as they won the Scudetto for a fourth time and was named the leagues Most Valuable Player.
He is joined on this year’s shortlist by the likes of England captain Harry Kane, Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah.
Meanwhile Scotland and Real Madrid player Caroline Weir has been included in the shortlist for the Women’s Ballon D’Or.
She is joined by England’s Euro 2025 winning stars Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Hannah Hampton.
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