The two biggest names in modern football are arguably Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The two stars are currently in the twilight of their careers, after having ruling the footballing word for close to two decades. However, their decline in the late stages of their career is now visible, with both playing in non-European leagues. However, the two legends received yet another shock for the first time in 23 years as the nominations for the Ballon d'Or 2024 were announced on September 4.
For the first time after 2003, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's names have not been included as the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or 2024 were announced. From 2004 till 2023, either both or one of these legends have been nominated.
Lionel Messi, who is the current reigning Ballon d'Or winner received continuous nominations from 2006 to 2021. He was again nominated in 2023 but misses out this time. The Argentine legend is the player to win the most number of Ballon d'Or titles, with 8 wins to his name.
Ronaldo received his first Ballon d'Or nomination in 2004 and continued being in the top 30 list till 2022. He has been awarded football's highest individual prize a total of 5 times and is the player with the second-highest number of honours after Messi.
Incidentally, Cristiano Ronaldo misses out on the Ballon d'Or nomination despite being the top goal scorer in the 2023/24 seasons, nailing 54 goals for Al-Nassr and Portugal.
ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Messi Moment: Portugal Legend Imitates Argentina World Cup Star, Wife Georgina Rodriguez Laughs
The list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or 2024 features some of the biggest footballing stars who performed exceptionally well last year including Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, and Vinicius Junior. The only goalkeeper nominated for this year's prize is Argentina and Aston Villa sensation Emiliano Martinez.
The winner of the Ballon d'Or 2024 will be declared in a ceremony that will be held on October 28.
Here is the full list of nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or:
Jude Bellingham
Hakan Çalhanoğlu
Dani Carvajal
Rúben Dias
Artem Dovbyk
Phil Foden
Alejandro Grimaldo
Erling Haaland
Mats Hummels
Harry Kane
Toni Kroos
Ademola Lookman
Emiliano Martínez
Lautaro Martínez
Kylian Mbappé
Martin Ødegaard
Dani Olmo
Cole Palmer
Declan Rice
Rodri
Antonio Rüdiger
Bukayo Saka
William Saliba
Federico Valverde
Vinícius Júnior
Vitinha
Nico Williams
Florian Wirtz
Granit Xhaka
Lamine Yamal