Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were absent from the 30-player Ballon d’Or shortlist for the first time since 2003, effectively ending the duopoly that has dominated football this century. The forward duo, considered all-time greats, had won 13 titles as the best football players of the year between them. They have finished second eleven more times, frequently to one another. As their career came to an end, a new generation of successors had emerged, so it’s possible that they would never again kiss the football-shaped trophy, coated in gold.
An epoch comes to an end?
It is unlikely that Ronaldo or Messi would run again unless they have a miraculous late comeback in their careers. Both players have dropped to lower divisions; the 37-year-old Argentine had a season marred by injuries, while the 39-year-old Portuguese has been scoring goals consistently but is no longer the physical powerhouse he once was. Both are regulars for their country’s squad and have their sights set on the 2026 World Cup, although their influence would be lessened. Therefore, in practice, at the magnificent Théâtre du Châtelet, the Ballon d’Or site, the colossus would never steal the show, even though the romantics would long for a final indulgence.
17 attackers and one goalie
Forwards have taken home the ball 45 times out of 68 games, with goals and assists carrying a greater weight than tackles and blocks. Attackers (forwards, strikers, wingers, and attacking midfielders) take up a big portion of the nomination cake, in line with the customary trends. Emiliano Martinez, the only goalkeeper, is an outsider but has been crucial to both Aston Villa’s promotion to the Champions League and his nation’s COPA defense. A number of elite defenders, including Ruben Dias and William Saliba, are also in this group. The odds are stacked against them; only three defenders (Fabio Cannavaro, Matthias Sammer, and Franz Beckenbauer twice) have ever won the trophy, while Lev Yashin is the only goalie to have done so (1963).
Not quite Mbappe time
Before fulfilling his dream of playing for Real Madrid this season, Kylian Mbappe had another successful season, although one without any hardware to show for his efforts. Despite having 10 assists and 44 goals, he was unable to lead PSG to Champions League success. In the semifinal match between France and Spain, he was unimpressive as well, managing just one goal (out of 24 attempts) and providing two assists in five games. Perhaps Madrid could grant him his unfulfilled dreams of winning the Champions League and winning the Ballon d’Or. He would only be a guest of the A-list this time.