END OF AN ERA??? Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi, out of the Ballon d’Or nominees for the first time since 2003.

 Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest soccer players of all time, have been left out of the Ballon d'Or nominees for the first time since 2003. This marks a significant shift in the soccer landscape, as these two superstars have dominated the award for nearly two decades, winning 13 out of the last 15 Ballon d'Or trophies .

Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, hasn't won the award since 2017, and Messi, an eight-time winner, took home the trophy last year . However, with both players now in their 30s and playing in lesser competitive leagues - Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia's Pro League and Messi in the MLS - their omission from the nominees list isn't entirely surprising.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees list features a new generation of talented players, including England's Rising Stars:

- Harry Kane

- Jude Bellingham

- Phil Foden

- Bukayo Saka

- Declan Rice

- Cole Palmer 

The 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees showcase exceptional talent and a new generation of soccer stars. Here's a breakdown of the notable nominees:

Forwards:

1. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) - Electric French forward with incredible speed and goal-scoring ability.

2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - Norwegian goal-machine with an impressive record in the Premier League.

3. Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid) - Skilled Brazilian winger with exceptional dribbling skills.

4.  Cole Palmer (Chelsea) - Skilled English winger with impressive speed and skill.

Midfielders:

1. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - Talented English midfielder with impressive vision and control.

2. Lamine Yamal (Paris Saint-Germain) - 17-year-old French midfielder, the youngest-ever Ballon d'Or nominee.

Other Notable Nominees:

1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) - Clinical English striker with consistent goal-scoring form.

2. Phil Foden (Manchester City) - Versatile English midfielder with exceptional vision.

3. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - Talented English winger with impressive speed and skill.

4. Declan Rice (Arsenal) - Solid English midfielder with exceptional defensive skills.

Other notable nominees include Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., and Lamine Yamal, the youngest-ever nominee at just 17 years old . The winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or will be announced on October 28 in Paris .