The Ballon d’Or award, considered the most prestigious individual honor in football, has released its list of nominees for 2024. In a shocking turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, widely regarded as two of the greatest players of all time, have been left out of the running for the first time in over two decades. This marks a significant shift in the football landscape, as both players have dominated the award for years.
Real Madrid, however, has a strong presence on the list with a total of seven players nominated. Kylian Mbappe, who recently made a high-profile transfer from Paris St Germain, is among the nominees. Other notable players on the list include Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, and Rodri. The nominees represent some of the best talent in the world, and the competition for the award is expected to be fierce.
The winner of the Ballon d’Or award will be announced at a ceremony on October 28, 2024. The selection process involves a vote by a panel of international sports journalists, who consider factors such as individual performance, team success, and overall impact on the sport. With Ronaldo and Messi out of the running, a new generation of players has the opportunity to take center stage and claim the award.
The absence of Ronaldo and Messi from the list has sparked debate among football fans and pundits. Some argue that their exclusion is a sign of their declining influence on the sport, while others believe it’s a snub. Regardless, the 2024 Ballon d’Or award promises to be an exciting and unpredictable contest, with a new crop of talented players vying for the top honor.
