Ballon d’Or, a verdict that does not pass muster

The list of 30 players nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or was revealed this Wednesday. With some notable absences, of course.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or will be awarded on October 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet. It is already a given that the holder of the trophy will not be invited – Lionel Messi, despite winning the Copa America with Argentina this summer, is not on the list of 30 nominees to compete for the supreme individual award in football.

This is a bit of a surprise, the Pulga, like his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still as prolific in Saudi Arabia, was not selected among the “finalists”. “There was no debate about Messi”, says Vincent Garcia, editor-in-chief of the France Football magazine, on the set of the L’Equipe channel, who has the heavy task of the consultation necessary to designate the 30 best footballers of the moment.

A first since 2003

“It’s the logical next step,” he continued. “He and Cristiano are no longer among the 30 best players in the world…” Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – credited with eight and five Ballon d’Ors respectively – are both absent from the final list of candidates for the Ballon d’Or, we have to go back to 2003 to find a precedent in the history of the highly coveted golden sphere.

Other absences are noted and remarkable, such as that of Liverpool’s Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah. “There was even less debate about him,” sighs Vincent Garcia, highlighting the Pharaoh’s failed Africa Cup of Nations. No Robert Lewandowski either, nor even Kevin De Bruyne, Rodrygo or Julian Alvarez. As for the Blues, they are barely two surviving ambassadors: Kylian Mbappé and William Saliba. No Antoine Griezmann, therefore.

The 30 players nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or:

Jude Bellingham (ANG, Real Madrid), Ruben Dias (POR, Manchester City), Phil Foden (ANG, Manchester City), Federico Valverde (URU, Real Madrid), Emiliano Martinez (ARG, Aston Villa), Erling Haaland (NOR, Manchester City), Nico Williams (ESP, Athletic Bilbao), Granit Xhaka (SUI, Bayer Leverkusen), Artem Dovbyk (UKR, Girona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Vinicius Jr (BRE, Real Madrid), Dani Olmo (ESP , RB Leipzig), Florian Wirtz (GER, Bayer Leverkusen), Martin Odegaard (NOR, Arsenal), Mats Hummels (GER, Borussia Dortmund), Rodri (ESP, Manchester City), Harry Kane (ENG, Bayern), Declan Rice ( ANG, Arsenal), Vitinha (POR, PSG), Cole Palmer (ANG, Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (ESP, Real Madrid), Lamine Yamal (ESP, FC Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (ANG, Arsenal), Hakan Çalhanoglu (TUR, Inter Milan), William Saliba (FRA, Arsenal), Kylian Mbappé (FRA, PSG), Lautaro Martinez (ARG, Inter Milan), Ademola Lookman (NIG, Atalanta Bergamo) , Antonio Rüdiger (ALL, Real Madrid), Alejandro Grimaldo (ESP, Bayer Leverkusen).