Lionel Messi Headlines List of Nominees for Golden Foot Award

Argentina legend Lionel Messi may very well match Cristiano Ronaldo by claiming an award he has never won. Messi is the one of the most decorated footballers in the history of the game, having won a record 46 trophies in his career. The Argentine superstar has also acquired several individual awards over the years but one achievement has always eluded the FIFA World Cup winner and it is the Golden Foot. Messi is now in contention for the prestigious honour after being included in the 10-man shortlist for the Golden Foot.

The official account of the award announced the shortlist on X (formerly Twitter) while writing, “Among our 10 nominees who will win this year’s Golden Foot Award?”

Messi has been nominated for the award alongside nine other stars in the world of football. The list of names includes Marco Veratti, Neymar, Virgil van Dijk, Thomas Muller, Harry Kane, Kevin de Bruyne, Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann and Lautaro Martinez. The Golden Foot can be won only once in a professional career. It is handed out to players over the age of 28 who are still plying their trade on the highest level.

While Messi has an edge over Ronaldo when it comes to the Ballon d’Or, the Argentine is yet to get his hands on the Golden Foot. Ronaldo won the award in 2020 during his stint in Serie A with Juventus. Despite leaving Real Madrid, Ronaldo remained in contention for being the best player in the world which eventually saw him winning the prestigious award.

The inaugural edition of the Golden Foot award was won in 2003 by Italy’s Roberto Baggio. Since then, the Golden Foot has featured in the trophy cabinets of several other football stars, including the likes of Brazil’s Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Andres Iniesta, Andriy Shevchenko, Robert Lewandoski, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah.

As for the 2024 edition, Lionel Messi faces competition for the Golden Foot award. With Messi turning 37 this year, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is running out of time in a bid to add the crown to his trophy room. He recently spearheaded Inter Miami to a MLS Supporters’ Shield triumph. He is also running for the MVP award in the 2024 MLS season.