Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the finest football player ever, has surprisingly been left off the shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or – the sport’s most coveted individual accolade.
The Argentinian superstar, who has won the award a record eight times and is the current holder, was notably absent from Wednesday’s announcement of 30 nominees vying for the prize, set to be awarded on 28 October.
Equally shocking was the omission of Messi’s long-standing rival, five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo. This marks the first instance since 2003 that neither of these football icons has made the cut for the prestigious list.
Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are among the names nominated.
Messi, who left European soccer behind when moving from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami last year, is still delivering at a high level and helped Argentina win the Copa America in July. The 37-year-old beat Manchester City striker Haaland to the award last year, but will not defend his title.
Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 — the start of a four-year streak of taking the top prize.
He was first nominated in 2006.
Messi and Ronaldo turned the competition into a near-two-way contest during the peak of their careers – winning it a combined 13 times from 2008.
Ronaldo’s first nomination was 2004.
Their omission from the list of nominations is likely due to leaving top-flight European club soccer, with Ronaldo having moved to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
A new generation of talent has emerged in the form of Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Bellingham and Haaland. Emerging teenage star Lamine Yamal of Spain was also nominated.
While City forward Haaland was second to Messi last year, the top picks for this year’s Ballon d’Or include Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Bellingham, along with City and Spain midfielder Rodri.
Messi was also absent from the 2022 list, but bounced back to lead Argentina to World Cup glory later that year and claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023.
Yet, in the twilight of his career and now playing in MLS, he may struggle to fend off younger rivals for the title of football’s finest.
It’s worth noting his omission despite winning a major international trophy with Argentina this year.
Aitana Bonmati, last year’s women’s winner, is nominated again. American stars Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Alyssa Naeher, and Lindsey Horan also feature on the 30-player shortlist.
The awards are decided by a panel of men’s and women’s football journalists.
Established by France Football magazine, the Ballon d’Or was first given to English great Stanley Matthews in 1956.
Football icons including Eusébio, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo, and Zinédine Zidane have all received the honour in the past.
