Lionel Messi did not make it to Ballon d'Or nominees list for first time since 2005

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The contenders for Ballon'dor award were announced by France Football on Friday.

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Lionel Messi has been left off the 30-man list of Ballon d'Or nominees for the first time since 2005.

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It was a disappointing first season for Messi at PSG following his shock move from Barcelona last year.

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The 35-year-old scored just 11 goals in all competitions last season.

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Messi remains the Ballon d’Or award’s record winner. His triumphs have come in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

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Long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who is nominated in 2022, has won five times.

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Karim Benzema leads the nominees as he bids to win the first Ballon d'Or award of his career.

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