France Football has published the list of nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the esteemed award honoring the best footballer worldwide. In a surprising development, Lionel Messi, the Argentine legend and record-holder for most Ballon d’Or titles, currently playing for Inter Miami, has been left out of the 30-player shortlist for the award this year.
This exclusion marks the second consecutive year Messi has not been included among the finalists. Previously a constant presence since his first nomination in 2006, Messi’s absence from this year’s list signals a remarkable shift in the landscape of international football.
Background on Messi’s Recent Achievements and Absences
Messi’s last nomination was in 2023, the year he secured his most recent Ballon d’Or, largely a result of leading Argentina to a World Cup victory in December 2022 and his instrumental role in Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup success. His career has been decorated with numerous accomplishments, including multiple Ballon d’Or awards, a Copa América title, and four UEFA Champions League trophies.
It is notable that except for last year and now in 2025, Messi has consistently ranked among the world’s top 30 players for nearly two decades. This recent break in his streak reflects changes in the football world, where emerging talents are beginning to reshape the competition for the sport’s highest individual honors.
Emerging Stars Leading the 2025 Ballon d’Or Challenge
This year’s contenders feature a new wave of promising players who have impressed at both club and international levels. Among the leading nominees are Ousmane Dembélé from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal, and Cole Palmer, who helped his team capture the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League titles.
Dembélé is considered a strong frontrunner following a stellar season highlighted by PSG’s Champions League triumph. Meanwhile, Palmer’s performances in global competitions have attracted significant attention, while Yamal’s contributions helped Barcelona secure a domestic treble, including La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Other notable candidates include Lautaro Martínez, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Kylian Mbappé, all of whom have made substantial impacts with their clubs and countries during the season.
Implications of Messi’s Omission for Football’s Future
The absence of Lionel Messi from the 2025 Ballon d’Or nominations signifies a generational transition in football’s most celebrated individual prize. After years of dominance shared with Cristiano Ronaldo, new figures are defining the sport’s evolution on the global stage. This shift highlights the growing competitiveness and depth of talent in world football.
As these rising stars continue to make their mark, the battle for the Ballon d’Or in 2025 and beyond promises to be intense and unpredictable. Messi’s exclusion could inspire these emerging players to further elevate their performances, ultimately broadening football’s narrative beyond its recent icons.