The 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist has been announced, and for the first time in over two decades, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi have been nominated. This comes after Ronaldo’s earlier claims that the awards were losing credibility, sparking debate in the football world.
Ronaldo, a 5-time Ballon d’Or winner, expressed his disappointment at missing out to Messi last year, despite his impressive goal-scoring record. In an interview earlier this year, he highlighted his stellar performance at Al-Nassr, where he scored 54 goals, as proof of his credentials for the awards.
The Portuguese star also defended the quality of the Saudi Pro League, where he currently plays, stating that it is superior to France’s Ligue 1. His confidence in himself and his abilities is evident in his words, as he brushed off critics and focused on his own success.
Both Ronaldo and Messi are now playing outside of Europe, with Messi at MLS side Inter Miami and Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Despite their achievements, including Messi’s role in winning the Leagues Cup and the Copa America, they were not included in the 30-player shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
This means that the recipient of the award this year will be a first-time winner, as other past winners like Karim Benzema and Luka Modric were also omitted from the list. The announcement of the winner is scheduled for October 28, and it will be interesting to see who emerges victorious in the absence of two of the greatest players of our time.
Overall, the exclusion of Ronaldo and Messi from the Ballon d’Or shortlist marks a significant shift in the football world and opens up the field for new talent to shine. It will be a closely watched event as fans eagerly anticipate the crowning of a new Ballon d’Or winner in 2024.
