Lionel Messi will not be winning another Ballon d’Or this year, as he was omitted from the list of nominees revealed by the organizers on Wednesday. Despite Messi’s notable achievements, including winning the Copa America with Argentina in July, the 37-year-old is not among the 30 contenders. This follows a similar omission in 2022, when Karim Benzema won the award.
Messi had previously won his eighth Ballon d’Or last year after leading Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar. The prestigious award is decided by a panel of journalists from the top 100 countries in FIFA’s world ranking.
This year’s list features numerous stars from Spain’s Euro 2024-winning team and Real Madrid’s Champions League victors. Among the nominees are Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and five of his Real Madrid teammates—Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Antonio Ruediger, and Fede Valverde. Kylian Mbappe, who transferred from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, is also included.
From Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 squad, contenders include Dani Carvajal, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Nico Williams, and Lamine Yamal. Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Harry Kane, who now plays for Bayern Munich, are also among the nominees. Notably absent is Cristiano Ronaldo, now 39, who has won the award five times.
For the best coach category, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga title, is a leading contender alongside Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti and Spain’s Luis de la Fuente.
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona and Spain aims to defend her Ballon d’Or title. Former winners Ada Hegerberg and Alexia Putellas are also nominated, along with five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Horan, and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in Paris on October 28.
