No Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d'Or list for first time in 21 years as Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Cole Palmer make the cut
09/04/2024 05:34 PM
Neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or for the first time in 21 years.
Instead, football’s icons have made way for the next generation of talent after dominating the annual football award.
Messi has won a record-breaking eight, including last year’s award having lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has snapped up five, his last coming in 2017.
He missed out on a nomination last year after his move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr – but this time, both stars have been left off the list for the first time, something that hasn’t happened since 2003.
Luka Modric and Karim Benzema were the only ones to stop the Messi-Ronaldo monopoly, winning the award in 2018 and 2022 respectively.
But now, as Ronaldo and Messi’s time in Europe has concluded with Ronaldo playing in Saudi Arabia and Messi in the U.S. at MLS side Inter Miami, it’s time for someone new to lift the award.
And the 30-man short list released on Wednesday is packed full of big stars.
England internationals Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer have all been nominated.
Meanwhile, new Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, who came third last time out, is also on the list.
Last year’s runner up, Erling Haaland, is also in the running after claiming the Premier League Golden Boot once again last term.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jnr is tipped to be one of the favourites after a glittering season in which he played a crucial role in his side winning LaLiga and the Champions League.
Bellingham, of course, also played a key role in Los Blancos’ success and is up there, too.
Spain internationals and Euro 2024 champions Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are also on the list.
Granit Xhaka and the now-retired Toni Kroos are other notable nominees.
And while Messi isn’t there this time, his Argentina colleagues Emiliano Martinez and Lautaro Martinez did make the cut after their Copa America triumph.
The Ballon d’Or award ceremony will take place on October 28.
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