Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players ever, but he was not included in the list of nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or, the sport’s most prestigious individual award.
The record eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or did not appear on the list of 30 players announced Wednesday, who are competing for the award, which will be given out on October 28.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s long-time rival and a five-time winner, was also left off the list. This is the first time since 2003 that neither player has been nominated.
Among those nominated are Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane.
Messi, who moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami last year, continues to perform at a high level and helped Argentina win the Copa America in July. He won the Ballon d’Or last year, but will not be defending his title this time.
Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, starting a four-year streak of winning the top prize.
He was first nominated in 2006.
During the peak of their careers, Messi and Ronaldo made the Ballon d’Or almost a two-person contest, winning it a combined 13 times from 2008.
Ronaldo was first nominated in 2004.
Their absence from the nominations is likely due to their move away from top European club soccer, with Ronaldo now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
A new group of talent, including Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Bellingham, and Haaland, has emerged. Teenage star Lamine Yamal from Spain is also among the nominees.
