In a seismic shift for world football, the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominations have been announced, with both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo absent from the list for the first time in over two decades. This marks the end of an era dominated by these two football legends, who have won the prestigious award a combined 13 times (Messi with eight and Ronaldo with five).The 30-player shortlist, revealed by France Football magazine, includes a mix of established stars and rising talents. Real Madrid dominates the nominations with six players, including Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde. Other notable nominees include Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane.Messi’s absence is particularly striking, given that he won the award for a record eighth time just last year. His reduced impact in Argentina’s Copa América victory and subsequent move to Inter Miami in the MLS likely contributed to his omission. Ronaldo, who has been playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr since 2023, also missed out, potentially due to his move away from top-flight European football.The absence of Messi and Ronaldo has opened the door for a new generation of players. As Rodri, one of the nominees, stated, “They threaten to assault the sky with the same ferocity as Messi and Cristiano when they were their age”. The list includes young talents such as 17-year-old Lamine Yamal from Barcelona.The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. As the football world prepares for a new winner, this year’s nominations signify a changing of the guard in global football.
Key points
- Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not included in the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominations for the first time since 2003.
- Real Madrid dominates the nominations with six players.
- The absence of Messi and Ronaldo opens the door for a new generation of players.
- The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 28 in Paris.
Contradictions👾While most sources agree on Messi’s and Ronaldo’s absence from the nominations, there are slight discrepancies in the reasons given.
Some attribute it to their moves to non-European leagues, while others emphasize their reduced impact in recent tournaments.
