Once mainstays of football’s most prestigious awards night, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo find themselves on the outside looking in during the 2025 edition.

Despite Messi’s Ballon d’Or triumph just two years ago, his move to Inter Miami placed him farther from the European spotlight, diminishing his chance at another golden trophy this year.

Similarly, Ronaldo’s prolific performances in Portugal and Saudi Arabia have not been enough, highlighting a clear trend that players outside of Europe’s top leagues are increasingly overlooked, regardless of their stature or statistics.

Karim Benzema also misses out, following his high-profile switch to Arabia after a string of successful seasons with Real Madrid. These exclusions underscore evolving criteria for the Ballon d’Or, placing greater emphasis on both domestic and continental success within Europe, and signaling a shift from rewarding resumes to recognizing top-flight influence here and now. 

Rising Stars and Surprising Omissions

Not only legends face disappointment: current dynamism failed to secure recognition for several breakout and established stars. Fede Valverde, despite captaining Real Madrid, couldn’t break into the top 30, hampered by his team’s setbacks in LaLiga and the Champions League last season.

Nico Williams, a consistent performer for Athletic Club, also finds himself overlooked, despite a compelling campaign that many pundits considered worthy of attention. 

The omission of Julián Álvarez, who excelled both for Atlético de Madrid and the Argentine national team, highlights how changing roles and club moves can disrupt even dramatic individual progress.

What Absences Say About the Ballon d’Or

These snubs raise important questions about the award’s direction as it enters a new era. With European competitions carrying more weight and migration to non-European leagues penalizing player visibility, the pool of legitimate contenders seems to narrow.

As football globalizes and mega-stars take on new challenges outside the traditional powerhouses, the Ballon d’Or must decide whether to adapt or risk overlooking genuine greatness.