For the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi has been included among the nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or award.
England’s Jude Bellingham is one of the 30 footballers named.
Portugal’s Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, missed out on nominations last year as well.
Messi, the record-holder with eight Ballon d’Or wins, was also absent despite leading Argentina to Copa America victory this year.
Spain, the Euro 2024 champions, have six players nominated, including 17-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.
Real Madrid also has seven nominees, including Kylian Mbappe, Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior.
England, runners-up at Euro 2024, has five other nominees besides Bellingham: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden.
Rodri, named the player of the tournament at Euro 2024, expressed his belief that a Spanish player deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
He highlighted Spain’s dominant performance in the tournament, winning all seven matches and scoring 15 goals.
In the women’s Ballon d’Or Feminin, Barcelona has six nominees, including last year’s winner Aitana Bonmati and two-time winner Alexia Putellas.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony will take place on October 28 in Paris to crown the world’s best player.
