The list of nominees for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, given to the best soccer player in the world for the past season, was unveiled on Wednesday, and it is one that marks the end of an era. For the first time since 2003, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the greatest soccer players of all time, are not in the running for the honor.
Messi has been nominated for Ballon d’Or a total of 16 times and has won the award eight times, which is a record. Ronaldo has 18 nominations and five wins.
While it is unusual to see Messi and Ronaldo omitted from the award they have dominated for so long, it is an expected development. Both players continue to play at a high level but find themselves in leagues that are considered less competitive, with Messi playing in MLS with Inter Miami and Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo gave way to a slew of young soccer stars, including Real Madrid’s trio of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Rodri and Phil Foden, and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or are guaranteed to have a first-time winner. Aside from Messi and Ronaldo, the only two active players to win the award are Luka Modric and Karim Benzema, with neither being nominated this year.
