Always nominated for 21 years: In a world without Messi and Ronaldo, these stars would have won a Ballon d’Or

Today a new star lifts the Ballon d’Or. Lionel Messi (8 wins) and Cristiano Ronaldo (5 wins) are not available for selection for the first time since 2003. blue shows which stars the two mega stars have been in front of the sun in recent years.

Vinicius Junior is considered the top favorite for the Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded in Paris this Monday evening. His Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham and Rodri (Manchester City) are the most serious competitors.

It will almost be a historic election for World Player of the Year. For the first time in 21 years, neither world champion Lionel Messi nor his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo are on the list of 30 nominated football stars.

If Messi was able to secure the Golden Ball for the eighth time in 2023 after a strong World Cup in Qatar, the 37-year-old will be missing this time. His appearances in the USA for Inter Miami, like the goals of the two-year-old CR7 in Saudi Arabia at Al-Nassr, are no longer of great sporting relevance.

Since 2008, Messi and Ronaldo have almost always won, apart from Luka Modric (2018) and Karim Benzema (2022), there has been no other winner. Now the era of Messi (8 Ballon d’Or) and Ronaldo (5) is over, time for a quick look back.

The big question: Who would have won the Ballon d’Or in recent years in a world without Messi and Ronaldo? That would have been the name of the winners without the two high-flyers since 2008.

Fernando Torres

In 2008, Spaniard Fernando Torres would have won the trophy, relegating his compatriots Iker Casillas and Xavi to second and third place.

Xavi and Iniesta

In 2009 and 2011, Barcelona’s Xavi would have celebrated, in 2010 and 2012 it would have been his congenial partner Andrés Iniesta’s turn.

Ribery and Neuer

In 2013, after 5 Spanish triumphs in a row, it would be a Frenchman’s turn. The podium: Franck Ribéry ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Neymar. A year later, a goalie would be honored: Manuel Neuer won the 2014 Ballon d’Or in a world without CR7 and Zauberfloh.

Neymar, Griezmann, Van Dijk, Lewandowski and Haaland

In 2015 and 2017 it would be Neymar. 2016 Antoine Griezmann. The Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk would push Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah into the honorable places in 2019. After not being awarded in 2020, the trophy would go to Robert Lewandowski in 2021. Erling Haaland would have inherited in 2023.

From now on there is no longer any need for a shadow Ballon d’Or list because Messi and Ronaldo are making room and from now on no one will be allowed to stand in front of the sun.