Ballon d’Or, the prize list without Messi and Ronaldo

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By: Manu Tournoux

Ballon d'Or, the prize list without Messi and Ronaldo

If Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had not been in this world, football would have been different. And the Ballon d’or prize list would have been turned upside down.

The 67th edition of the Ballon d’or will be held on October 30, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Awarded by France Football, this prize will reward the best player over the season. As a reminder, it is awarded based on three main criteria: individual performances and decisive character, collective performances and prize lists, class and fair play.

Since mid-October, there have been numerous rumors suggesting that Lionel Messi will lift the trophy for the eighth time in his career. Winner of the World Cup with Argentina and the French championship with Paris Saint-Germain, “La Pulga” is the big favorite. The Norwegian Erling Haaland, winner of the Premier League and the Champions League with Manchester City, and author of 52 goals in 53 games, is an outsider.

Since 2008, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have almost systematically shared the Ballon d’Or. Only the Croatian Luka Modric and the French Karim Benzema managed to find a place on the list, respectively in 2018 and 2022. But what would the latter have been if the Argentinian and the Portuguese had not existed? The question arises, particularly in the years when their coronation was far from unanimous. This was particularly the case in 2010, the year in which AndrĂ©s Iniesta won the World Cup with Spain, scoring the coronation goal in the final. Rebelote in 2013 with third place for Franck RibĂ©ry, who will speak of a “theft” a few years later.

Even more recently, this mishap happened to Virgil van Dijk. Big favorite to win the trophy in 2019, the Dutch international saw Lionel Messi ahead of him by a short head after the votes. A look back in pictures at what the Ballon d’Or winners would have been without the existence of the two phenomena of an entire generation.

Manu Tournoux

Written by:

Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.