Lionel Messi could be on the verge of adding a rare trophy to his collection, potentially joining Cristiano Ronaldo in an elite group of winners. Messi and Ronaldo are often regarded as the two greatest footballers of the 21st century, with their career achievements and statistics frequently compared by fans debating who is superior.
This October marks a historic moment as, for the first time in 21 years, neither player has been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, a prize they have collectively won 13 times. However, Ronaldo currently holds one honor that Messi has never claimed, but this may soon change.
The Golden Foot award, established in 2003, recognizes football legends who continue to perform at a high level later in their careers. Only players aged 28 and above are eligible. Although Messi has never won this award, he is now considered a leading contender. Ronaldo won it in 2020, followed by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in 2021 and Robert Lewandowski in 2022.
After a one-year hiatus, the Golden Foot award is returning, and Messi is expected to be the frontrunner. This year, for the first time, the winner will be chosen by a panel of professionals instead of public voting. Additionally, no former winners are eligible for the award this year.
Along with the Golden Foot trophy, the winner will leave a permanent mould of their footprints on the Champions Promenade in Monaco. Messi has been passed over in the past in favor of players like Luka Modric and Edinson Cavani. This year, he faces competition from several high-profile players, including Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
The nominees for the 2024 Golden Foot award include Marco Verratti (Al-Arabi), Lionel Messi (Miami FC), Neymar Jr. (Al-Hilal), Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), and Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City).
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