The list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, revealed on Wednesday September 4 on the website of the newspaper L’Équipe, gives pride of place to players from Spain, winners of Euro 2024, and Real Madrid, crowned champions of the Champions League, while Lionel Messi, holder of the trophy, was not selected.
This is the second time since 2005 that Messi, who won for the 8th time last year, has been out of the running for the most prestigious individual prize in the world of football, which will be awarded after a vote by a jury of journalists representing the top 100 nations in the Fifa rankings. The former FC Barcelona legend, who now plays for Inter Miami, had already been rejected in 2022.
Messi did, however, lift a second Copa America this year with Argentina (after 2021) but the 37-year-old Albiceleste captain had less impact on his team’s success than in the past, even leaving the final in the 66th minute after an ankle injury.
Vinicius, Haaland, Mbappé…
The other big names in world football are, however, present. Brazilian striker Vinicius, who is the big favourite after Real Madrid’s 15th victory in the Champions League, is there along with his two teammates Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé.
Erling Haaland, English champion with Manchester City, and English striker Harry Kane, unfortunate finalist of Euro-2024, have not been forgotten, unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, exiled since 2023 in Saudi Arabia (Al-Nassr).
The list also includes a large number of European champions wearing the Roja jersey (Dani Carvajal, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal).
Bonmati for the double in the women’s race
- RFI
