FORMER St George FC midfielder Massimo Luongo thought someone was playing a joke when he was told he had been nominated for the greatest individual prize in world football — the Ballon d'Or.
The 23-year-old was included on an extended list of 59 players for the world footballer of the year title, thanks to his exploits in the Socceroos' AFC Asian Cup triumph where he was named player of the tournament.
The Queens Park Rangers attacker joined the likes of world football superstars Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Neymar as a nominee.
Former Bexley North Public School student Tim Cahill and Socceroos legend Harry Kewell are the only other Australian's to ever be nominated for the award.
The 2015 Ballon d'Or shortlist will be whittled down to 23 candidates later in the year with the winner set to be announced at a FIFA awards ceremony in January.
Luongo said he thought it was a prank when first told.
"I didn't even know if it was real . . . I thought it was someone trying to be funny.
"It's obviously a big honour, 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."
Luongo played youth football with St George before securing a trial with English giants Tottenham Hotspur, where he joined their youth team aged 17.
— Additional reporting, AAP