Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not in the Ballon d’Or nominees for the first time in over two decades. Emerging talents like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are now frontrunners, marking a significant shift in football’s hierarchical landscape.
- Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the Ballon d’Or, winning it a combined 12 times.
- Their exclusion highlights the rise of new talents like Mbappé and Haaland.
- Both players’ current teams have not achieved significant success in major tournaments.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Recent Performance
Cristiano Ronaldo, currently with Al Nassr, has shown impressive statistics in 2024:
- Goals: 26
- Assists: 1
- Appearances: 22
- Minutes Played: 1,814
- Goals Per Game: 0.86
- Assists Per Game: 0.05
For the 2023/24 season, he scored 50 goals in 51 games. Despite his personal achievements, his international performance at the UEFA EURO 2024 was less stellar, with no goals in 5 matches. His absence from the Ballon d’Or list might be attributed to this and the lack of major team successes.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi, out of the Ballon d’Or nominees for the first time since 2003. https://t.co/ROmuQ3Wa5j
pic.twitter.com— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
October 02, 2023
Lionel Messi’s Recent Performance
Lionel Messi, playing for Inter Miami CF, also had a noteworthy year:
- Goals: 17
- Assists: 13
- Appearances: 22
- Minutes Played: 1,814
- Goals Per Game: 0.77
- Assists Per Game: 0.59
In the 2023/24 season, Messi scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in 29 games. His international performance in the Copa America 2024 included 2 goals and 5 assists in 5 matches. Despite these impressive stats, Messi’s exclusion from the nominees list might be due to the rise of new talents and his current team’s performance.
Reasons for Exclusion
- Age and Performance: Both players are nearing the end of their careers and their performances, while still excellent, have slightly declined.
- Emergence of New Talents: Younger players with exceptional seasons have taken the spotlight.
- Team Performance: Neither Ronaldo’s nor Messi’s current teams have achieved significant success in major tournaments, a key factor in Ballon d’Or considerations.
The End of an Era
The exclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi from the Ballon d’Or nominees signifies the end of an era in football. Their legendary careers have left an indelible mark on the sport, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations. As the football world looks to new stars, the contributions of these two icons remain unparalleled.
For more insights into the careers of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, check out:
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s Profile
- Lionel Messi’s Profile
