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(Sports) Luongo's Asian Cup exploits earn a spot on Ballon d'Or shortlist

Xinhua, October 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

The exploits of Australian Socceroos' Massimo Luongo in January's AFC Asian Cup have propelled the young star into the race for world football's greatest individual honor, the Ballon d'Or.

The 23-year-old, who this season moved to Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship from third-tier side Swindon Town, was a surprising inclusion on the 59-man shortlist released on Tuesday.

The list places Luongo's name alongside some of football's biggest names, including past winners Leo Messi (four time winner) and Cristiano Ronaldo (three).

Luongo, who led Australia to its first piece of international silverware as the player of the tournament in the Asian Cup, was surprised to be in the race for the crown.

"I didn't even know if it was real... I thought it was someone trying to be funny," he told Australian Associated Press on Tuesday.

"It's obviously a big honor, not many people get on it, I can say I've been on the Ballon d'Or list now.

"I don't know what to say about it... it's a bit random."

However, worldwide media has reacted with surprise - and derision - at FIFA's nod to the midfielder, in spite of his stellar form for club and country in 2015.

Spanish sports newspaper Marca called Luongo a "surprise candidate," while Madrid daily AS accused football's international body of "belittling" the award by including such a "stranger."

Australian media highlighted how Luongo made the list ahead of absentees David Silva, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Mesut Ozil, Philipp Lahm, Marco Reus, Koke, Vincent Kompany and Marco Verratti - all superstars on the international and club scene.

Luongo joins Socceroo legends Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill as the only Australians to be named on the shortlist for the award.

The midfielder, who has been playing further forward alongside striker Charlie Austin since his switch to Rangers, said he had joked with teammates that he had "no chance of winning it."

But he did not rule out a miracle altogether. "I'm on the list so you never now," Luongo said.

The list will be whittled down to 23 candidates later in the year, before the eventual winner is revealed at a FIFA awards ceremony in January next year. Endi