According to The Athletic, the Ballon d’Or 2024 ceremony will differ a lot this year. Two of the greatest players to ever do it, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have not been nominated for the Ballon d’Or 2024.
This ceremony will mark the end of an era of two of the greatest football players to ever step on the pitch. Messi and Ronaldo dominated the world football for almost 16 years, with both sharing 13 Ballon d’Or among them. Lionel Messi has won the prestigious award 8 times including one last year, while Ronaldo has won the golden ball 5 times. Football is transitioning into a new era after the absence of these two icons from the 2024 nominations.
The Ballon d’Or is awarded annually to the world’s best player. However, this award was monopolized by the two “G.O.A.Ts” for over a decade. The focus now shifts towards the new generation of footballers. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are the front runners to win the Ballon d’Or this year. The youngst stars helped Real Madrid win the Champions League trophy for the 15th time last season. Another player who is getting big shouts is Rodri, the star midfielder of Spain and Manchester City. The midfielder played a key role in winning the Premier League with Manchester City. Rodri also helped Spain win the Euros, while also winning the player of the tournament award.
The legacy of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, and had been nominated for 16 years straight for the award. Messi’s amazing dribbling ability, goal-scoring records, and trophies with both, clubs and country, along with individual awards have contributed to the player’s unforgettable legacy. Messi has won majority of the Ballon d’Or awards while playing with Spanish giants, FC Barcelona, except for the most recent onel in 2023. The Argentine Legend is currently playing for Inter Miami in the MLS. Messi is currently out of action due to injury. The Argentine legend recently also won his second Copa America title, becoming the most decorated player of all time.
Cristiano Ronaldo has always been a big name in the Ballon d’Or shouts. The Portuguese legend won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, while playing for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. Ronaldo is still the most recent Premier League player to win the award, despite leaving Manchester United in 2009. Cristiano Ronaldo has shattered records in England, Spain, Italy, and now in Saudi Arabia, winning five Ballon d’Ors in the process. The Portuguese legend recently scored 900 goals, becoming the only player in the history to do so. He is currently the highest goal-scorer in the entire history of the game, while also being the top goal-scorer in international football, and also the UEFA Champions League.
CR7 has achieved heights that no player ever could. The only player to challenge him, that too to a great extent, has been none other, Lionel Messi. The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be remembered by football fans forever and ever.
The new generation of footballers in the Ballon d’Or 2024
Of the 30 nominees for the award, six players are from England. The Three Lions managed to reach the finals of Euro 2024, which played a big part in the nominations. Jude Bellingham is the first name among English footballers on the list. The Real Madrid midfielder is joined by Arsenal’s star, Bukayo Saka, and Chelsea’s top scorer last year, Cole Palmer. Harry Kane is in the nominations after being the top scorer in the Bundesliga and in Europe last season. Phil Foden also makes the cut, having helped Manchester City win the Premier League last season. Declan Rice will is the sixth English player on the list.
Spain also boasts a similar representation of six players, with Rodri leading the group, being joined by his fellow, Euro winning stars.
The list of 30 players who are nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or are:
Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Dani Carvajal, Bukayo Saka, Ruben Dias, William Saliba, Fede Valverde, Cole Palmer, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Toni Kroos, Martin Odegaard, Emiliano Martinez, Granit Xhaka, Artem Dovbyk, Harry Kane, Mats Hummels, Hakan Calhanoglu, Nico Williams, Phil Foden, Florian Wirtz, Dani Olmo, Declan Rice, Vitinha, Ademola Lookman, Lautaro Martinez, Alejandro Grimaldo, Antonio Rudiger.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
