Neither Messi or Ronaldo on Ballon d’Or shortlist for first time since 2003
Viní Jr, Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí among favouritesJude Bellingham and Lauren James on 30-player lists
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane lead a list of six England players nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or while the Lionesses trio Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp were shortlisted for the women’s award. But the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, who lifted the men’s award last year, was left off the list along with his longstanding rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since 2003.
Shortlists for the respective awards were unveiled on Wednesday night by France Football, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 28 October.
