2024 Ballon d’Or nominations: Major talking points

France football has announced its nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or Award ceremony, which will take place on October 28, 2024.

3Sports assesses some key talking points you would have missed.

They're all here!

But… who should win it? #ballondor pic.twitter.com/SrkHBrJtuI

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 4, 2024

Ronaldo-Messi duopoly ended

For the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Messi has been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, which signals the end of an era of dominance.

The pair boast 13 awards between themselves, with Messi winning the most (eight) and Ronaldo behind him (five). Ronaldo also has the most nominations (18) and Messi (16).

Well-represented

The English Premier League has the most players in the top 30 nominees (10), per current player club status. Real Madrid also have the most players (six) in the top 30, with Manchester City following closely with four.

Africa football on the rise

Mamelodi Sundowns and South African goalkeeper Ronwen William has become the first to be nominated directly from playing in the African League for the Yashin Trophy (given to the best goalkeeper).

Women’s African football flourishing

For the first time ever, two different African women, Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawai’s Tabitha Chawinga, have been nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or.

Young but gold

At the age of 17, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest player to make the top 30 nominees of the Ballon d’Or.

 

By Andrews Sefa Bamfo

The post 2024 Ballon d’Or nominations: Major talking points first appeared on 3News.

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