For the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi is nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or, with the 30 nominees announced on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, was also omitted last year. Lionel Messi, a seven-time winner and previously nominated 16 times, misses out despite Argentina’s Copa America victory this year.
Spain, the Euro 2024 champions, have six players nominated, including 17-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and teammates Nico Williams, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Dani Carvajal, who also won the Champions League with Real Madrid.
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Moreover, Real Madrid leads with seven nominations, featuring Kylian Mbappe, recently transferred from Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Bellingham and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior.
England, who were runners-up to Spain at Euro 2024, have five additional nominees: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden.
Furthermore, in the women’s Ballon d’Or Féminin, Barcelona, the Champions League winners, have six nominees, including last year’s winner Aitana Bonmati and two-time winner Alexia Putellas.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or Awards ceremony will be held on October 28 in Paris.
