1. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have passed the peak of their great professional football careers.
The end of one of the greatest rivalries in history, not just football but sports in general, has now come.
The trip to Saudi Arabia and the US was the beginning of the end, even if they continued to compete at the top level for a few more years.
Neither player is among the 30 candidates for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. A situation that has not happened since 2003.
In the 2003 vote, the title went to Pavel Nedved, Juventus and Czech Republic star.
The last time both were not nominated, the Argentine made his professional debut the same year, while the Portuguese superstar made his debut a year before.
2. In 2004, Ronaldo first entered the list of 30 best players in the world when he stood out with MU and Portugal at EURO on home ground.
In Messi’s case, his first appearance on France Football’s nomination list was in 2006.
Since then, the two have maintained a constant competition to take the number 1 position in world football.
Between them Messi and Ronaldo hold a combined 13 of the last 15 awards: eight for the former Barcelona player and five for the former Real Madrid forward.
In 2022, the year Karim Benzema was crowned, there was an exception: Messi was absent from the nomination list (in contrast, he won FIFA’s The Best award for his performance at the World Cup in Qatar), while Ronaldo was still present.
After more than two decades, the end of Messi and Ronaldo was written by a new generation – those who have never known what it feels like to win this most prestigious individual award.
3. Vinicius, Bellingham, Mbappe or Haaland are names expected to compete for the Golden Ball in the coming years.
Of these, Vinicius and Bellingham are considered the two most promising candidates for the award, which will be announced next month (October 28). However, when France Football and UEFA combine the awards, the opportunity is extended to Dani Carvajal and Rodri.
In an era dominated by Messi and Ronaldo, only Modric and Benzema have taken the spoils from the superstar duo.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or will mark a generational shift in modern football history.
In addition, the absence of Jamal Musiala – 12 goals and 8 assists for Bayern Munich, co-owner of the EURO 2024 Golden Boot title – caused controversy.
Many other names absent include Kevin De Bruyne (6 goals – 18 assists); Ilkay Gundogan (5 – 14); Bernardo Silva (11 – 10); Bruno Fernandes (15 – 13); Robert Lewandowski (26 – 9), Mohamed Salah (25 – 14).
Rodri wins Ballon d’Or 2024: Honoring a genius mind
Rodri lifted Spanish football by winning the Ballon d’Or, recognition for his performances at EURO 2024 and with Man City.
Rodri wins the 2024 Ballon d’Or
In a solemn atmosphere at the Theatre du Chatelet (Paris), the 2024 Ballon d’Or award was presented to Man City midfielder Rodri.
Vinicius missed the Golden Ball: Real Madrid disrespected Rodri
Real Madrid responded to Vinicius’ failure in the Ballon d’Or race by not attending the ceremony, disrespecting Rodri.
