In a major shift in football’s landscape, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have not been named in the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees, marking the first time since 2003 that both legendary players have missed the prestigious shortlist.
Messi, who secured his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or in the past, and Ronaldo, who has been a consistent presence in the nominees from 2004 to 2022, are notably absent. Despite Messi leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Ronaldo earning the all-time top scorer award in the UEFA Champions League, both have been overlooked in the latest edition of the awards.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees list includes England’s Jude Bellingham among the 30 men’s nominees, as well as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and several Spanish and English stars who shone in the recent Euro 2024 tournament. Spain’s six players feature prominently, and Real Madrid tops the list with seven nominees.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas from Barcelona headline the 30 nominees for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, with Barcelona dominating the list with six players.
The winners will be announced in Paris on October 28, 2024, in a highly anticipated ceremony.
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