Messi left off list of contenders for Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi was omitted from the list of nominations to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award. The record eight-time winner and holder of the trophy did not feature in a list of 30 players in the running for the award, which will be presented October 28.

Also excluded was Messi’s great rival, five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo. It was the first time since 2003 that neither player made the list.

Messi was also left off the list in 2022, but won in 2023.

Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are among the names nominated.