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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not in the Ballon d’Or nominees’ names for the first time since 2003. Fans are very sad to see this as two of the legendary players of the game hasn’t in the nominees. However, it was obvious as both of them aren’t in Europe anymore. Messi is a MLS player since two seasons and Ronaldo is playing his third season in Al Nassr.
For the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi have been included in the prestigious Ballon d’Or nominees list, marking the end of an era in football. Both players, who dominated world football for nearly two decades and won the award a combined 12 times, are absent from the shortlist, leaving fans nostalgic and saddened by their exclusion.
The decision, while emotional for many, was expected. Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), left European football after his brief time at Paris Saint-Germain. Ronaldo, in his third season with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, has also moved away from the European spotlight. Although both players continue to perform at high levels in their respective leagues, their absence from European football—traditionally where Ballon d’Or candidates are most scrutinized—was a key factor in their omission.