For the first time in 20 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has missed out on the shortlist of one of the Ballon d’Or awards.
Ronaldo has missed out on this year’s list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or has World Cup winner Lionel Messi shortlisted.
Messi who is a seven-time winner of the award is in contention with the likes of Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.
Haaland could pose the most formidable competition to Messi after an extraordinary year.
The Norwegian striker netted an impressive 52 goals in 53 matches.
playing a pivotal role in Manchester City’s triumphant campaigns in the Premier League, FA Cup, and the Champions League.
Since his debut at Manchester United in 2003, Ronaldo has consistently appeared on the list of nominees for football’s most prestigious individual award.
He has a total of Five Ballon D’or trophies in his cabinet.
Nevertheless, his 2023-24 season proved to be disappointing, marred by controversy surrounding his transfer to the Saudi Pro League.
Coming at the back of a dramatic departure from Erik ten Hag’s squad at Old Trafford.
Subsequently, his performance in the World Cup with Portugal failed to leave an impact.
Ronaldo ranks as the second-most decorated player in the history of the trophy, just behind Lionel Messi, who has claimed it an astonishing seven times.
This has contributed to an era of absolute dominance by this Argentine-Portuguese duo.
Despite CR7’s assertion of no rivalry with Messi, the Ballon d’Or snub likely leaves a mark.
France Football magazine has been presenting this award to men annually since 1956 and to women every year since 2018.
Norwegian forward Ada Hegerberg became the inaugural female recipient of the Ballon d’Or.
However, both editions were cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Aitana Bonmati, recently crowned the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, stands among the six female nominees representing Spain.
Bonmati played a pivotal role in leading Spain to victory in the Women’s World Cup last month.
Ballon d’Or nominees
Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, Croatia)
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Andre Onana (Manchester United, Cameroon)
Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad, France)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, England)
Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
Randal Kolo Muani (Paris St-Germain, France)
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli, Georgia)
Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan, Italy)
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, Argentina)
Ruben Dias (Manchester City, Portugal)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal, Norway)
Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona, Germany)
Yassine Bounou (Sevilla, Morocco)
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City, Argentina)
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)
Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, France)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)
Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich, South Korea)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia)
Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain, France)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
