Messi, Ronaldo Left Out of Ballon d'Or

For the first time since 2003, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo has been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or, marking a potential end of an era in football. Messi, who won his eighth Ballon d'Or last year, had an injury-plagued season but led Argentina to a Copa America title, while Ronaldo had a prolific season in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. Their absence from the nominations has sparked reactions from fans and signifies a shift towards a new generation of football superstars. Favorites for the 2024 award include Vinicius Junior, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham, who had standout seasons with their respective clubs. The Ballon d'Or jury comprises journalists from the top 100 countries in FIFA's world ranking, and their choices reflect changing dynamics in world football. The awards will be presented on October 28.