It is the second year in a row that Ronaldo is not on the shortlist for the award.

After he was left off of the Ballon d’Or shortlist, Cristiano Ronaldo once declared that the trophy was losing its legitimacy.

Thirty of the best players in the world were nominated for the top individual men’s football honour, and France Football revealed the candidates for the 2024 award on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo, the five-time winner of the trophy from Al Nassr, was left off the list despite leading the Saudi Pro League team in goals scored in all competitions with 44 goals last season.

Another conspicuous absence from the 2024 shortlist was his fierce rival Lionel Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, including last year.

For the first time since 2003, neither Ronaldo nor Messi are among the nominees for the prize.

Ronaldo stated in a speech from the previous year that FIFA The Best and the Ballon d’Or were “losing credibility.”

His remarks followed his exclusion from the nominations despite finishing the calendar year with 54 goals, which positioned him as the world’s top scorer in football for 2023.

It’s not that Messi, [Erling] Haaland, or even [Kylian] Mbappe didn’t earn it. Nevertheless, the figures are real and unfalse. You have to take the full season into account,” Ronaldo stated to Record.

“The figures represent actual data. People truly thought I was lost when it came to my time at Manchester United and the national team, but in reality, I was very focused and had a fantastic time in Al Nassr, which is why I scored 54 goals.

“As long as my head and body are fine, and I enjoy football, I will continue to play. Right now, I feel good, I feel fulfilled and happy on the field, both in the national team and at the club.

“I’m doing what I like most: goals and good performances.”

Ronaldo and Messi are yet to comment on not making the cut for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, which is now set to be won by a player for their first time in their career.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr is the current favourite to win the award, with Manchester City’s Rodri and another Madrid player – Jude Bellingham – also fancied by the bookmakers.

Men’s Ballon d’Or award shortlist in full

Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid

Lautaro Martinez – Inter

Ademola Lookman – Atalanta

Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen

Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid

William Saliba – Arsenal

Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter

Rodri – Man City

Declan Rice – Arsenal

Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Cole Palmer – Chelsea

Vitinha – PSG

Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard – Arsenal

Dani Olmo – Barcelona

Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen

Mats Hummels – Roma

Erling Haaland – Man City

Nicolas Williams – Athletic Bilbao

Granit Xhaka – Bayer Leverkusen

Artem Dovbik – Roma

Toni Kroos – Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

Phil Foden – Man City

Ruben Dias – Man City

Federico Valverde – Real Madrid

Emiliano Martinez – Aston VIlla