2 weeks Ago By Dom Farrell
The 2023 Ballon d'Or saw Lionel Messi clinch a record-extending eighth success as old rival Cristiano Ronaldo failed to receive a nomination. The lack of Ronaldo up against Messi marked a huge change, and the 2024 award went one step further, with neither player nominated for the first time since 2003 . A combined 13 wins between them demonstrates their incredible dominance of the award but 2024 signalled a concrete end of their Ballon d'Or duopoly.
Messi has received 16 Ballon d'Or nominations, a run dating back to 2006. A disappointing debut season at Paris Saint-Germain left him out of the running in 2022 as Karim Benzema claimed the top prize. However, Argentina's World Cup success at the end of that year and a prolific start to life with Inter Miami proved to be enough for Messi to return to the top of the podium ahead of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
The Sporting News looks at where Messi finished in the 2024 Ballon d'Or vote. MORE: How the final Ballon d'Or vote for 2024 played out Where did Lionel Messi finish in Ballon d'Or 2024 vote? The Ballon d'Or is now awarded on the basis of performances from the previous European season and not the calendar year in question. This puts Messi at an obvious disadvantage as an MLS player, with the top flight in the U.
S. running from February to December in the same year, meaning it does not align with the European season. For example, although Argentina's Copa America success fell within the Ballon d'Or consideration period, Messi's return to form and fitness as Inter Miami claimed the Supporters' Shield did not.
This helps to explain why he was not included in the initial 30-man shortlist on which votes were cast. MORE: Messi vs. Ronaldo: Has the Ballon d'Or settled the GOAT debate forever? Lionel Messi Ballon d'Or finishes Eight-time winner Messi was nominated 16 times from 2006 until 2023.
The trophy was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and two years later he missed the cut Lionel Messi all-time Ballon d'Or finishes Year Finish 2006 20th 2007 3rd 2008 2nd 2009 1st 2010 1st 2011 1st 2012 1st 2013 2nd 2014 2nd 2015 1st 2016 2nd 2017 2nd 2018 5th 2019 1st 2020 * 2021 1st 2022 N/A** 2023 1st 2024 N/A** *In 2020, the Ballon d'Or was was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. **Lionel Messi did not feature on the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist in 2022and 2024. Who has won the most Ballon d'Or awards? Rank Player Ballon d'Or wins Years won 1.
Lionel Messi 8 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 2. Cristiano Ronaldo 5 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 3. Michel Platini 3 1983, 1984, 1985 Johan Cruyff 3 1971, 1973, 1974 Marco van Basten 3 1988, 1989, 1992 6.
Franz Beckenbauer 2 1972, 1976 Ronaldo 2 1997, 2002 Alfredo Di Stefano 2 1957, 1959 Kevin Keegan 2 1978, 1979 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 2 1980, 1981.
