For the first time in over two decades, the prestigious Ballon d’Or award will not feature either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi among its nominees. Since 2003, these two football legends have been ever-present on the shortlist, dominating the global football scene and collecting a combined 12 Ballon d’Or trophies. Their exclusion in 2024 marks the end of an era that saw them transform the football landscape with their exceptional talents, record-breaking performances, and fierce rivalry.
Ronaldo and Messi’s unprecedented consistency and brilliance set new standards in the sport, pushing each other to new heights year after year. Messi, with seven Ballon d’Or wins, holds the record for the most trophies, while Ronaldo, with five, has also cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. Their absence from this year’s list is symbolic of a generational shift in football, as younger talents like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and others take center stage.
The decline of Ronaldo and Messi’s dominance has been gradual yet evident in recent seasons. Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in 2022 and Messi’s recent transfer to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer signaled their winding down from European football’s highest competitive levels. Although they continue to make headlines with their performances in these leagues, their influence in elite European competitions, like the UEFA Champions League, has waned. As a result, their exclusion from the Ballon d’Or list reflects the reality of their evolving careers.
Despite no longer being Ballon d’Or contenders, Ronaldo and Messi’s impact on the game is indelible. They inspired an entire generation of players and fans, reshaped the competitive nature of football, and left a legacy that will be celebrated for years to come. As football moves forward, the names at the top may change, but the Ronaldo-Messi rivalry will remain an iconic chapter in the sport’s rich history.
