Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time, will not be vying for another Ballon d’Or this year as he was left out of the list of nominees. Despite winning his eighth Ballon d’Or last year, the 37-year-old Argentine superstar did not make the cut this time around. This comes as a surprise to many, as Messi had a successful year, leading Argentina to victory at the Copa America. Although now playing for MLS team Inter Miami, Messi’s absence from the list of nominees is notable.
The contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or include stars from Spain’s Euro 2024-winning team and Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning squad. Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior is among the favorites, along with several other Real Madrid players who had successful seasons. Kylian Mbappe, who made a move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, is also in the running for the prestigious award. Notably missing from the list is Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner who is now 39 years old.
In addition to the player awards, the best coach award is also highly anticipated. Xabi Alonso, who had a successful season with Bayer Leverkusen, is among the top contenders. Other coaches in the running include Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti and Spain’s Luis de la Fuente. The women’s Ballon d’Or is also up for grabs, with Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona and Spain hoping to retain the title. Former winners Ada Hegerberg and Alexia Putellas are also nominated, along with key players from the United States’ Olympic gold medal-winning team.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place in Paris on October 28, where the winners will be announced. The award is considered the most prestigious individual honor in football, with winners selected by a jury of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries. While Messi’s absence from the list of nominees may come as a surprise to many, the competition for this year’s Ballon d’Or promises to be intense with a diverse range of talented players and coaches vying for the coveted prize.
Overall, the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees include a mix of established stars and up-and-coming talent from across the world of football. With players from Real Madrid, Spanish national team, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich among the favorites, fans can expect an exciting showdown at this year’s ceremony. The absence of Messi and Ronaldo from the list of nominees adds a new dynamic to the competition, leaving room for younger players to shine and make a name for themselves in the football world. Stay tuned for the results of the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October to see who will be crowned the best in the sport.
