Lionel Messi, the current holder of the Ballon d'Or, has been snubbed by France Football for its prestigious award. The list of nominees was revealed on Wednesday evening in Europe, and for the first time since 2005, Messi hasn't been put forward for the golden ball he won last in 2023.
What happened?
The Argentine forward, who turned 37 at the end of June, is still considered to be at the height of his powers by many, and helped his country win a second successive Copa America title in the United States.
He came off injured with a swollen ankle during the final, which Argentina won against Colombia in extra time at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, but was still important throughout La Albiceleste's successful campaign.
Why it matters for Lionel Messi
This is the first time since 2003 that neither Messi nor his generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, haven't been nominated for the award.
The snub could be due to Messi's decision to move to Inter Miami in the MLS, rather than playing in Europe, where the Ballon d'Or is primarily focused.
What comes next?
Next generation superstars such as Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland have all been nominated for the award, along with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who is also up for the Kopa Trophy.
Messi's omission from the list of nominees is a surprise, given his continued success on the pitch, and his importance to the Argentine national team.
The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the best male player in the world, and is voted on by a panel of experts, with the winner announced at a ceremony in December.
Messi's snub is a significant one, and will likely be a topic of discussion in the football world in the coming weeks and months.
The Argentine forward has won the Ballon d'Or a record eight times, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
His omission from the list of nominees is a surprise, and will likely be seen as a significant upset by many in the football world.
The nominees for the award were revealed on Wednesday evening in Europe, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony in December.
Messi's snub is a significant one, and will likely have a major impact on the football world in the coming weeks and months.
The Argentine forward is still playing at a high level, and his omission from the list of nominees is a surprise, given his continued success on the pitch.
The Ballon d'Or is one of the most prestigious awards in football, and Messi's snub is a significant one, that will likely be a topic of discussion in the coming weeks and months.