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The Fifa Ballon d’Or 2024 nominees have been revealed ahead of the award ceremony, which is set to take place on October 28 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. It’s the reward that football fans have been waiting for till the end of the season.
The best player over 12 months receives the honor, which is determined by their statistics and accomplishments with both club and country.
Lionel Messi, the eight-time champion, took home the trophy the last time around after leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and winning the Golden Ball award for it.
Vinicius Jr., Rodri, and Jude Bellingham, among others, are strong candidates for the honor after having outstanding seasons with their teams and nations last year.
Here is a full list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2024 award:
| FIFA Ballon d’Or 2024 nominees | |
| Player | Country and club |
| Jude Bellingham | England and Real Madrid |
| Ruben Dias | Portugal and Manchester City |
| Phil Foden | England and Manchester City |
| Federico Valverde | Uruguay and Real Madrid |
| Emiliano Martinez | Argentina and Aston Villa |
| Erling Haaland | Norway and Manchester City |
| Nico Williams | Spain and Athletic Club |
| Granit Xhaka | Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen |
| Artem Dovbyk | Ukraine and AS Roma |
| Toni Kroos | Retired |
| Vinicius Jr | Brazil and Real Madrid |
| Dani Olmo | Spain and FC Barcelona |
| Florian Wirtz | Germany and Bayer Leverkusen |
| Martin Odegaard | Norway and Arsenal FC |
| Mats Hummels | AS Roma |
| Rodri | Spain and Manchester City |
| Harry Kane | England and Bayern Munich |
| Declan Rice | England and Arsenal FC |
| Vitinha | Portugal and PSG |
| Cole Palmer | England and Chelsea FC |
| Dani Carvajal | Spain and Real Madrid |
| Lamine Yamal | Spain and FC Barcelona |
| Bukayo Saka | England and Arsenal FC |
| Hakan Calhanoglu | Turkey and Inter Milan |
| William Saliba | France and Arsenal FC |
| Kylian Mbappe | France and Real Madrid |
| Lautaro Martinez | Argentina and Inter Milan |
| Ademola Lookman | Nigeria and Atlanta |
| Antonio Rudiger | Germany and Real Madrid |
| Alejandro Grimaldo | Spain and Bayer Leverkusen |
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End of an era
This is the first time since 2003 that the legendary pair will not be on the shortlist, as neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are among the nominees.
Since Messi and Ronaldo are both now participating in the Saudi Pro League and the Major League Soccer, respectively, they are not considered serious winners.
Ronaldo broke the record for goals scored for Al Nassr, his Saudi side, but it won’t be enough to get the legend on the 30-man shortlist.
As the two greats of the game near the end of their careers, it signifies the end of a magnificent era that started in 2008 when Cristiano won his first Ballon d’Or.
The prize winner will be revealed in Paris on October 28.
In addition to the Ballon d’Or honors for men and women, the ceremony will also feature the presentation of the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, Muller Trophy, Socrates Award, Best Club, and the recently added Best Coach honors.
