French football magazine France Football has officially revealed the list of nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the prestigious award given annually to the world’s best footballer. In a surprising turn, Argentine legend and record Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi from Inter Miami is not among the 30 players shortlisted for this year’s prize.
Now, a new generation of young talents is stepping into the spotlight, chasing the most prestigious individual honor in world football, a prize long dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the past decade. Leading the list of 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees are PSG star Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona’s rising sensation Lamine Yamal, and Club World Cup winner Cole Palmer.
Lionel Messi is out of the list of 2025
It has been the most shocking news of the soccer world this Thursday, with the exclusive list revealed, the names of either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi are not included. However, for the Argentine star, this has been the second consecutive time that he has not been included in this prestigious list.
The last time Lionel Messi was included among the top 30 players in the world, according to France Football, was in 2023, the year he claimed his most recent Ballon d’Or. That award came as recognition for his historic World Cup win with Argentina in December 2022, as well as his success with Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup.
One striking detail is that since his first Ballon d’Or nomination in 2006, Lionel Messi has consistently been included among the top 30 players in the world. Remarkably, he has only missed the list twice, last year and now again in 2025, making his recent absence a noteworthy and symbolic moment in the evolution of the award and the sport itself.
Indeed, Lionel Messi’s trophy cabinet is filled with accolades that highlight his status as one of the greatest players in football history. Beyond his record Ballon d’Or titles, he’s a World Cup and Copa América champion, a multiple-time MVP at major international tournaments, and a four-time UEFA Champions League winner. His long list of honors reflects a legendary career that has left an unforgettable mark on the sport.
Top contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or without Messi and Ronaldo
What an intriguing battle we will have for the election for the Ballon d’Or winner of 2025, where many players have stood out in their clubs and their national teams, like Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer, Lamine Yamal, Lautaro Martínez, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kylian Mbappe, and more.
However, the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or is shaping up to be a fiercely contested battle. Ousmane Dembélé has emerged as a strong favorite after a standout season with PSG, capped by a Champions League title.
Cole Palmer has made headlines with his impressive performances, leading his team to victory in both the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal strengthened his case by securing a domestic treble, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
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