The End of an Era: Ronaldo and Messi Absent from 2024 Ballon d'Or Nominations
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo won't compete for the Ballon d'Or for the first time in over 20 years. The two legends have dominated the esteemed honour and enthralled people worldwide since 2003. However, in 2024, their names are noticeably missing, indicating the end of one of the sport's most illustrious eras.
Between them, Messi and Ronaldo have collected 12 Ballon d'Ors—seven for Messi and five for Ronaldo—setting standards of excellence that seemed unreachable. Their rivalry transcended football, symbolizing a relentless drive for greatness. For years, fans argued passionately over who was the greatest, while both players continually pushed each other to new heights.
But everyone is eventually caught up by time. Ronaldo, who is winning in Saudi Arabia, and Messi, who is currently playing brilliantly in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, are no longer at the top of European football, where the Ballon d'Or is most eagerly awaited. Their elimination feels like the end of an era that helped to define contemporary football, therefore it's bittersweet.
However, a chapter ends and a new one begins. A new generation of players is eager to leave their mark and is prepared to take center stage. Players like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, who lead the 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees, are leading this new wave. Haaland is one of the favorites to win his first Ballon d'Or after having a record-breaking season with Manchester City in which he assisted in securing a historic triple. Mbappé is ready to establish himself as the greatest player in the world as he has now joined his dream team Real Madrid.
Other names in the mix include Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, whose meteoric rise has made him a central figure in both club and country, and Vinícius Júnior, another Madrid star who continues to showcase his extraordinary talent on the biggest stages. These young players represent the future, with the football world ready to see how they handle the immense expectations placed upon them.
While Messi and Ronaldo's absences represent a significant turning point in football history, it also allows room for fresh faces to dominate the narrative. The legendary duo has paved the way, and now it’s time for the next generation to step up and create their legacies.
It truly is the end of an era, but also the dawn of a new one, full of promise, excitement, and, undoubtedly pure magical football.