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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (Source: X)
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are among six England players nominated for the Ballon d'Or while the Lionesses' Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, and Lauren Hemp have been shortlisted for the women's trophy. However, Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who won the men's award last year, was left off the list, along with his longtime adversary Cristiano Ronaldo, for the first time since 2003.
France Football published the shortlists for the respective prizes on Wednesday night, and the winners will be announced at an event in Paris on October 28. Neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo were included on the shortlist, which ends a streak of more than 20 years.
Messi holds the record with eight wins, with his most recent victory being in 2023. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has taken home the esteemed trophy five times. The Portuguese sensation who is playing with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League was consecutively included on the Ballon d'Or list from 2004 until 2022.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi, out of the Ballon d’Or nominees for the first time since 2003. pic.twitter.com/ROmuQ3Wa5j
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 4, 2024
Except for 2022, Messi has consistently been a contender for the award since receiving his first nomination in 2006. Last year, the Argentine joined Ronaldo in leaving European football to join Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS). It's interesting to note that Ronaldo was among the top scorers last season with 54 goals for both club and country. Ronaldo, the final Premier League player to win the top accolade, won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 while he was a player for Manchester United.
Other awards will be presented during the same event
The final list of 30, which was made public on Wednesday, included several well-known players; the standouts are Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Toni Kroos. On the list that was made public on Wednesday is Erling Haaland, who was the Premier League's top scorer the previous year.
In addition to the men's Ballon d'Or, the women's winner will also be presented during the gala, along with the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, Muller Trophy, Socrates Award, Best Club, and the recently added Best Coach accolades.