The most awaited moment is here, the Fifa Ballon d’Or nominees list released on September 4th,2024.The 2024 Ballon d’Or is going to be the 68th annual ceremony. It is sponsored by France Football, the event is scheduled to be held on October 28 to recognise the world’s best footballers from the 2023-2024 season.The ceremony is scheduled to take place around at the Theatre Du Chatelet in Paris.
Lionel Messi or the GOAT (as per football fans) , has won the trophy 8 times. He was awarded with the Golden Ball previous year as well, after he led Argentina to victory in the Fifa World Cup 2022.
Here is the list of the 30 players that have shortlisted:-
| 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 Atalanta |
| Antonio Rudiger | Germany and Real Madrid |
| Alejandro Grimaldo | Spain and Bayer Leverkusen |
This is the first time ever since 2003 neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are among the nominees. Since Messi and Ronaldo are now currently playing in the Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League, accordingly, they are not considered to be strong contenders.
Despite the fact that Ronaldo broke the all-time record for goal scored for his club Al Nassr. It is not enough to get his name on the 30 names that have been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or. As two Goat players, the legendary era has come to an end. It all started back in 2008 when Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or.
Nevertheless, with every ending comes a new beginning. Lamine Yamal, 17 years old, is the youngest player to receive a nomination for Ballon d’Or. He led his Spanish team to victory in the 2024 Euro Cup with his outstanding performance. Since then he has caught the public eye. A picture of Yamal with Messi resurfaced recently sparking conversations about the alleged “Messi’s touch”. In the picture, Messi was holding Yamal when he was just a few months old. A myth insinuating that Messi was directly influencing the Yamal’s skill. This humorous story connects Yamal’s outstanding skills to Messi’s greatness. He has been well received by the football fans and the media.
This symbolic “touch” illustrates more than just a rumor as Messi and Ronaldo’s careers are near their end. It signifies the passing of the torch to the next generation. A generation of talented players are emerging, ready to shine and break records.
