Ronaldo and Messi Miss Ballon d’Or Nominees for First Time in Over 20 Years
For the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi has made the Ballon d’Or nominees list. Announced on Wednesday, the list of 30 contenders includes England’s Jude Bellingham among the top players.
Ronaldo and Messi Left Out
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times, did not get a nomination last year either. Lionel Messi, despite his record eighth win in 2023 and 16 nominations, is absent this year, even after Argentina’s Copa America victory.
Spain and Real Madrid Shine
Spain, the winners of Euro 2024, have six players nominated. These include 17-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, along with Nico Williams, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Dani Carvajal, who also triumphed in the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid boasts seven nominees, including Kylian Mbappe, who recently moved from Paris Saint-Germain. The other Real Madrid nominees are Jude Bellingham and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior.
England and Women’s Ballon d’Or Féminin
England, who finished second at Euro 2024, have five additional nominees beside Bellingham: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden.
In the women’s Ballon d’Or Féminin, Barcelona, the Champions League winners, have six nominees. This includes last year’s winner Aitana Bonmati and two-time winner Alexia Putellas.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or Awards will be presented on October 28 in Paris.
