Neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have made the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or for the first time since 2003.
Messi was expected to be among the 30 nominees after leading Argentina to the Copa America trophy in July while Ronaldo has been in typically prolific form for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
But the Inter Miami striker, who won his eighth BdO last year, was not included with Ronaldo also absent.
Ce sont les meilleurs joueurs du monde…
Voici les nommés pour le Ballon d’Or Masculin 2024 !#ballondor pic.twitter.com/ttHgpt0iXr
— L’ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) September 4, 2024
It is the clearest sign yet that Messi and Ronaldo’s dominance of world football is over, perhaps not surprising given they are 37 and 39 years old respectively.
Vinicius Jnr is the favourite to land the award on October 28 after a glittering season in which he played a crucial role in Real Madrid winning a La Liga and Champions League double. His Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham is also among the favourites after a wonderful debut campaign at the Bernabeu.
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Manchester City midfielder Rodri is the closest challenger to the Madrid pair after starring as Pep Guardiola’s side won the Premier League for the fourth successive time and then helping Spain land the European Championship crown over the summer.
Rodri is joined by five of his Spain team-mates with Dani Carvajal – who also helped Madrid succeed domestically and in Europe – Dani Olmo, teenager Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Alejandro Grimaldo all nominated.
England, beaten finalists in Germany, also have six nominees with Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all included alongside Bellingham.
Our 2024 #BallonDor nominees 🥁
🏴 @BellinghamJude🏴 @HKane🏴 @PhilFoden🏴 Cole Palmer🏴 @BukayoSaka87🏴 @_DeclanRice
Congratulations, lads! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3t525JAC6c
— England (@England) September 4, 2024
Although Messi was not named, his Argentina colleagues Emiliano Martinez and Lautaro Martinez did make the cut for their starring roles in their country’s Copa triumph.
Other notable players to be included were Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Granit Xhaka and the now-retired Toni Kroos.
As the football world eagerly awaits the announcement of the Ballon d’Or winner, the absence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the shortlist has sparked a wave of discussions and debates among fans and experts alike. The two footballing legends have long been synonymous with excellence and dominance in the sport, but their exclusion from this year’s nominations is a clear indicator of a changing of the guard.
With Vinicius Jnr emerging as the front-runner for the prestigious award following his stellar performances for Real Madrid, the stage is set for a new era in football. The young Brazilian talent has impressed with his skill, speed, and goal-scoring prowess, proving himself to be a key player in Madrid’s recent successes in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Joining Vinicius Jnr in the race for the Ballon d’Or are other standout players such as Jude Bellingham, Rodri, and a host of talented individuals who have shone brightly on the pitch throughout the season. The competition is fierce, with each nominee having made significant contributions to their respective teams and countries, further adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the award.
As fans eagerly await the final announcement on October 28, speculation continues to mount regarding who will ultimately be crowned as the best player in the world for 2024. Will it be the rising star Vinicius Jnr, the experienced Rodri, or perhaps a dark horse nominee who will defy expectations and claim the coveted title?
For the latest updates on the Ballon d’Or race and more thrilling football news, be sure to visit DeFi Daily News. Stay tuned for all the trending articles and analysis on the most exciting developments in the world of sports!
