First time in 21 years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed from Ballon d'Or shortlist

The 2024 Ballon d'Or selections have shown up and have sent shockwaves through the football world. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been left off the Ballon d'Or shortlist. For the past two decades, the pair have dominated the award, with Messi winning a record seven times and Ronaldo winning it five times. This denotes a great change in the honor's scene, as the two footballing titans have ruled the Ballon d'Or discussion for north of twenty years.

Fans have been captivated by their rivalry, which has transcended club affiliations to propel each other to greater heights. The Portuguese and Argentine stars' names have almost become synonymous with the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for nearly two decades. Their steady brightness and strength have characterized a time, making a permanent imprint on the game.

The nominations for 2024 present a different picture. While Ronaldo and Messi have kept on performing at an undeniable level, the development of new abilities and the developing elements of football have made a more cutthroat scene. The performance of their teams also hasn't matched their individual splendor. Where Ronaldo's Manchester United had a turbulent season, Messi's Paris Saint-Germain failed to win the Champions League.

The incredible legacy that Messi and Ronaldo left behind is not diminished by this. They have re-defined excellence in football for a whole generation. However, the nominations for the Ballon d'Or in 2024 serve as a reminder that even the greatest players eventually have to give up their roles. There is a sense of uncertainty regarding the upcoming ceremony due to the absence of these two giants. Who is going to rise to take the throne? Will this imprint the start of another period of strength, or will a natural face make an unexpected re-visitation of the Ballon d'Or stage?

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Ballon d'Or 2024: Full nominees list

Antonio Rudiger
Kylian Mbappe
Lautaro Martinez
Ademola Lookman
Alejandro Grimaldo
Dani Carvajal
William Saliba
Lamine Yamal
Bukayo Saka
Hakan Calhanoglu
Rodri
Declan Rice
Harry Kane
Cole Palmer
Vitinha
Vinicius Jr
Martin Odegaard
Dani Olmo
Florian Wirtz
Mats Hummels
Nico Williams
Erling Haaland
Granit Xhaka
Artem Dovbik
Toni Kroos
Jude Bellingham
Ruben Dias
Phil Foden
Federico Valverde
Emiliano Martinez

The winner of the men's Ballon d'Or will be announced on October 28.

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