For the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi have been included as the nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or award, with England’s Jude Bellingham among the 30 footballers named.

Portugal superstar Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, had failed to receive a nomination last year also, while Messi, who won for a record eighth time in 2023 and has been nominated 16 times, missed out despite Argentina’s Copa America win this year.