No Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d’Or Nominees List for First Time Since 2023

Nominations for the 68^th annual ceremony of the Ballon d’Or – an annual football award for various categories has been made public. It contains the names of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Emiliano Martinez, among others, but not G.O.A.T.s Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious award in the football world. This is the first time since 2023 that the superstar footballers have not been nominated despite both participating for their countries Argentina and Portugal at the Copa America and UEFA EURO Cup.

Messi, who plays for MLS club Inter Miami, won his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023 and Cristiano, 39, last won his last (5^th) Ballon d’Or award in 2020.

Why Haven’t Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Nominated for Ballon d’Or

 Messi and Ronaldo have not been nominated this time around because they are no longer playing for European football clubs. Messi plays for a Major League Soccer (MLS) club in the US, while Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Pro League.

The Argentine has played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023. Ronaldo has notably played for Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United. He moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023 season.

Both players have left a void in Europe that’s yet to be filled. Their respective last clubs are still looking for footballers like them, most particularly Manchester United, which recently lost 3-0 to Liverpool.

It’s to be seen who will win the prestigious Ballon d’Or trophy this time. The award ceremony will be held on October 28 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.