For the first time since 2003, neither Argentina’s Lionel Messi nor Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo are nominated for the Ballon d’Or, while Olympic champions Spain and Champions League winners Real Madrid lead the field of players contending for football’s most coveted individual honor.
Lionel Messi will not win another Ballon d’Or this year after being left out of the shortlist announced by organisers on Wednesday, with stars from Spain’s Euro 2024-winning team and Real Madrid’s Champions League winners featuring prominently.
Messi won the ninth Ballon d’Or of his dazzling career last year. He is not among the 30 contenders this season, despite winning another Copa America title with Argentina in July. Reported By UK Sports.
The former Barcelona superstar, who now plays club football in the MLS for Inter Miami, was also not among the nominees in 2022, when Karim Benzema won.
However, he returned to win last year after leading Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar.
His rivals are Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti and Spain’s Luis de la Fuente.
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