For nearly two decades, the Ballon d'Or has been defined by two names: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Their duopoly on football's most prestigious individual award has been a constant, a measure of greatness against which all others were judged. Their combined 13 trophies—a staggering display of dominance—seemed to be a permanent fixture in the football landscape.
Yet, a seismic shift has occurred. For the first time since 2005, neither legend is on the 30-man shortlist for the Men's Ballon d'Or. This isn't an oversight or a mistake; it's a clear signal of a new era. This article will break down the key reasons behind this monumental change, from the evolution of the award's criteria to the rise of a new generation of superstars.
The Shift in Ballon d'Or Criteria: A Focus on the Season
The modern Ballon d'Or is not the same award it was during the height of the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry. In 2022, France Football, the award's organizers, fundamentally changed the rules. The most important change was the move from a calendar-year assessment to a seasonal one. The 2025 award considers performance from the 2024-2025 European club season, which ran from approximately August 2024 to July 2025, culminating with major international competitions like the FIFA Club World Cup.
The three core criteria for voters are now explicitly defined as:
Individual Performance: A player's decisive and impressive character on the pitch.
Team Achievements: The collective success and trophies won with their club and national team.
Class and Fair Play: The player’s sportsmanship and conduct on and off the field.
This new framework, with its emphasis on the most recent season and a heavy weighting toward the highest level of competition, set the stage for the exclusion of two players who, while still performing at an elite level, are no longer competing in the top European leagues.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League Campaign
On paper, Cristiano Ronaldo's 2024-2025 season was a resounding success. He finished as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 25 goals, proving his incredible goal-scoring instinct remains intact even at 40 years old. He was named the Fans' Player of the Season, a testament to his continued star power and influence. He also celebrated a significant international triumph, winning the UEFA Nations League with Portugal.
However, the Ballon d'Or's new criteria and its a heavy emphasis on competition level put his achievements in perspective. While his goal-scoring record is impressive, the Saudi Pro League is simply not considered to be at the same level as the European leagues from which the majority of the nominees are drawn. This isn't a knock on Ronaldo's skill, but rather an acknowledgment that the award's focus has shifted away from domestic success in lower-profile leagues, regardless of the individual stats.
Lionel Messi’s Journey with Inter Miami
Lionel Messi's absence from the shortlist is perhaps even more surprising to some, given his continued success and the fact that he was the most recent winner in 2023. Like Ronaldo, Messi has had a stellar season from a statistical standpoint with Inter Miami, bagging 18 goals and 9 assists on the season and winning MLS Player of the Month for July 2025. He also led Argentina to victory in the 2024 Copa América.
The issue, once again, comes down to the weighting of club achievements. Despite his international success and his excellent performance in the MLS, the Ballon d'Or jury has a strong bias toward players who compete and win in the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, and other top-tier European competitions. While a Copa América title is a massive accomplishment, the overall body of work for other nominees in Europe's elite leagues was ultimately deemed more significant in the context of the award's criteria.
The Rise of the Next Generation
The absence of Messi and Ronaldo is not a void; it's a space that's been filled by a new wave of phenomenal talent. The 2025 shortlist is a vibrant mix of established stars and rising prodigies who dominated the season on the biggest stages.
Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé lead the charge after an incredible season with Paris Saint-Germain, securing a domestic treble and a historic maiden Champions League trophy.
Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior have been instrumental in Real Madrid's success, particularly in their run to the top of La Liga.
Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona teenage sensation, has rightfully earned his place on the list with a breakout season that has stunned the football world.
Other nominees like Florian Wirtz and Declan Rice also had sensational seasons, making them strong contenders for the final prize.
These players not only delivered spectacular individual performances but also led their teams to major trophies, fulfilling all the criteria of the modern Ballon d'Or. Their collective success in the most competitive leagues and tournaments in the world has rightfully put them in the spotlight.
Conclusion
The exclusion of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist is not an end to their legacies, but a punctuation mark at the end of a golden age for the award itself. It reflects a natural evolution where the award's focus is now squarely on the best player of a specific, recently completed season, with a strong emphasis on achievements in elite European competition. This shift has opened the door for a new generation to claim the top spot, proving that football’s most coveted individual prize remains a true measure of current greatness. The era of the duopoly is over, and the race for the Ballon d'Or has never been more open or exciting.