The football icons were not included in the shortlist for the prestigious individual honour that was published on Wednesday (04.09.24) ahead of the ceremony next month.

The legends and rivals have dominated the prize over the past decade with Messi winning a record-breaking eight times (including in 2023) and Ronaldo taking home the gong on five occasions.

A first-time winner of the prize is guaranteed as former winners Luka Modric and Karim Benzema also aren't on the shortlist.

Vinicius Jr., Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are amongst the 30 stars in contention for the award.

Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time last year after leading Argentina to glory at the World Cup in 2022 but insists that team success is more valuable to him than individual accolades.

The Inter Miami star said: "I have said it many times, the Ballon d'Or is very important due to the recognition at the individual level, but I never gave it importance, between quotes, the most important thing for me was always the awards at group level.

"I was lucky to have achieved everything in my career and after the World Cup, I'm thinking about that award much less, my biggest award was that and I'm disguising my moment.

"If it arrives, good, and if not, nothing happens. I was lucky to achieve all my goals in my career and now I have new goals with this club."