Messi and Ronaldo have been the two clearly largest stars in world football over the past two decades. Something that has also been reflected when the Ballon d'Or – the prize for the world's best football player – has been awarded.
Messi has the most titles (eight) and Ronaldo the second most (five). Since Ronaldo was nominated for the prize for the first time in 2004, at least one of the two giants has been nominated every year.
Until now.
It's interesting that when this is about to come to an end, we wonder what the next equivalent rivalry will be. As if this type of rivalry is a natural state. But there has never been a rivalry like this before, says football writer Jonathan Wilson to AP.
Tracking a new rivalry
Matt Oldfield – also a football writer – sees a football landscape that longs for rivalries between players. He believes a new rivalry will emerge.
The whole idea of rivalries is a big part of football now. People want to simplify it to one-on-one and I think (Kylian) Mbappé against (Erling) Haaland will be the leading rivalry, he says to AP.
Both Mbappé and Haaland are nominated for the 2024 prize. But no one is the favorite to lift the golden trophy. Much suggests that Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior will win for the first time.
His coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident.
Vinícius will win. Not just for his three goals, but for his character. He is phenomenal, said Ancelotti to AFP after Vinícius' hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund last week.
Bonmatí – favorite on the women's side
The women's Ballon d'Or will also be awarded during Monday's gala in Paris. There, Barcelona's Spanish star midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, who won last year, is the big favorite in advance.
Last year, both Amanda Ilestedt and Fridolina Rolfö were among the 30 nominated on the women's side, but this year there is no Swedish player on the list.
30 players are nominated on the men's and women's sides, respectively. Here are some candidates who have been highlighted by experts as favorites in advance.
Men:
+ Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid/Brazil.
+ Rodri, Manchester City/Spain.
+ Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid/England.
Women:
+ Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona/Spain.
+ Caroline Graham Hansen, Barcelona/Norway.
+ Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit/USA.
