It’s the end of an era! For the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi are in the running for the Ballon d’Or. These legends have ruled the football world for over 20 years, but now, the stage is open for fresh talent. Ronaldo missed his second nomination in a row, and shockingly, even after Messi’s Copa America success and eighth Ballon d’Or win last year, he didn’t make the list.
In contrast, a new generation of talent is taking center stage. England’s Jude Bellingham is among the 30 footballers nominated, representing a shift towards younger players making their mark on the global stage. Spain, fresh off their Euro 2024 victory, leads the nominations with six players, including 17-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. Other Spanish stars on the list include Nico Williams, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Dani Carvajal. Carvajal, who also triumphed in the Champions League with Real Madrid, joins a strong contingent from the Spanish club, which boasts seven nominees in total. Among them are Kylian Mbappe, who recently transferred from Paris St. Germain, Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham.
England, runners-up to Spain at Euro 2024, also has a strong presence with five other players nominated alongside Bellingham. These include Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden. Rodri, named player of the tournament at the European Championship, believes that one of Spain’s stars deserves to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
As the football world looks towards the announcement of the prestigious award on October 28th, many consider Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior to be the frontrunner. His exceptional performances in La Liga and the Champions League make him a strong contender. However, the competition is fierce, with other notable names like Bellingham, Mbappe, Rodri, Erling Haaland, and Kane also in the running.
Meanwhile, Messi’s absence from both the Ballon d’Or nominations and Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers has stirred conversation. After suffering a ligament injury to his right ankle in the Copa America final, Messi is taking time to recover. His coach, Lionel Scaloni, has assured that Messi will return when he’s ready, focusing on a careful recovery rather than rushing back to the pitch.
The Ballon d’Or remains the pinnacle of individual recognition in football, with votes cast by journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries. As the anticipation builds, Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and other stars like Bellingham and Mbappe are seen as the next generation of footballing greats, ready to carry the torch passed on by legends like Ronaldo and Messi.
