The prestigious award, which has been dominated by the two icons for years, announced its 2024 nominees without including the two footballing giants.
This marks a historic moment, as it is the first time since 2003 that neither Messi nor Ronaldo have been named among the contenders for football’s top individual prize.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has been omitted from the 30-man shortlist.
The Argentine superstar, who recently moved to Inter Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, clinched the award last year, beating out Manchester City’s goal-machine Erling Haaland.
At 37, Messi continues to perform at a high level and helped Argentina win the Copa America this summer, yet it wasn’t enough to earn him a place on this year’s list.
Ronaldo, a five-time winner, also missed the cut, having made the move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
The omission of both players signals a shift towards a new era of talent, with stars like Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Haaland emerging as frontrunners for the 2024 title.
As Messi and Ronaldo approach the twilight of their legendary careers, this year’s Ballon d’Or will likely herald the arrival of a new generation.
With names like Real Madrid’s Vinicius and Bellingham, and City’s Rodri in contention, the competition is fierce. The award will be presented on October 28, and for the first time in years, a new face may take home the coveted prize.
The women’s nominations include U.S. stars Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith, as well as reigning winner Aitana Bonmati.