By Daniel Edu
In a surprising turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to secure a nomination for the Ballon d’Or for the first time since 2003.
Since his explosive emergence at Manchester United in 2003, CR7 had been a constant presence on the Ballon d’Or nominations list, establishing himself as a prominent figure in football’s most prestigious individual award. However, his performance in the 2023-24 season left much to be desired. His controversial move to the Saudi Pro League, following a dramatic departure from Erik ten Hag’s squad at Old Trafford, did not unfold as expected. Furthermore, his contribution to Portugal’s World Cup campaign was underwhelming. Consequently, the Portuguese international finds himself absent from the Ballon d’Or nominations for the first time in two decades.
This marks the conclusion of an extraordinary era at the pinnacle of European football for Ronaldo. With five Ballons d’Or to his name, his most recent in 2017, and a total of 18 nominations, he stands as the second-most decorated player in the history of the award, second only to Lionel Messi, who has claimed the honor seven times. Their rivalry has defined an era of unparalleled dominance for these two football icons. While CR7 has downplayed any rivalry with the Barcelona legend, it’s undeniable that this Ballon d’Or exclusion may sting.
Ronaldo will have to regroup while on international duty with Portugal, where he is currently training alongside stars like Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva in preparation for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg.
