Lionel Messi misses out on Golden Foot award to Argentina teammate as his wait to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho among winners goes on
Lionel Messi's wait to join his rival Cristiano Ronaldo as a Golden Foot award winner is set to continue after the legendary forward was pipped to the award by his Argentina national teammate Lautaro Martinez. The prize has been previously awarded to luminaries like Ronaldo Nazario (2006), Ronaldinho (2009) and Robert Lewandowski (2022).
The award began in 2003 and is awarded to players who are unique in their athletic accomplishments and personalities. It is only handed to active players above 27 years old once in their careers. The winner of the award is allowed to add their footprint to the 'Champions Promenade' in Monaco as a reward.
Messi's former Barcelona teammate, Ronaldinho claimed the award in 2009 after bagging 10 goals and six assists in 36 games for AC Milan in the 2008-09 season. On the other hand, the Argentine's eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the award in 2020 during his stint with Juventus. The Portuguese legend bagged 37 goals and seven assists in 46 games for the Old Lady in the 2019-20 season.
Lionel Messi was nominated for the 2024 edition of the award alongside Marco Verratti, Neymar, Virgil van Dijk, Thomas Muller, Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne, Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann, and Lautaro Martinez for the prize this year.
Messi's national teammate Lautaro took home the award, having a breakthrough 2023-24 season, winning Serie A with Inter Milan and finishing as the top scorer in the league, netting 24 goals in 33 games. He also scored the decisive goal in the Copa America final against Colombia earlier this year.
Lionel Messi will hope he can match his eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, and claim the prize next year after missing out on the prize once more. He has been phenomenal for Inter Miami, scoring 22 goals and 13 assists from 23 games this season.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo set to battle for Super Ballon d'Or prize in 2029
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to battle it out for one more accolade in football in 2029. The pair have made their mark as two of the best players in the history of the sport throughout their illustrious careers, claiming an amazing combined haul of 13 Ballon d'Or awards between them.
However, the pair will compete for one more award distributed by France football, the Super Ballon d'Or, in 2029 to see who has been the most impactful player of the last three decades. The award was first awarded to Real Madrid legend, late Alfredo Di Stefano, in 1989.
The award promises to be the definitive word on which of the legendary footballers is the GOAT after their exploits in the game have blown away every other player in comparison. The victor will be the second-ever person to win the prize since it was instituted.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be around 42 and 44 years old, respectively, when the prize is awarded in Paris and will likely have retired. The legendary pair could go up against other icons of the game like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario, and Marco van Basten for the accolade.