Ballon d’Or: Ronaldo finishes in lowest position in 17 years

Ronaldo has finished in 20th place, his lowest ranking in 17 years, while Messi did not make the shortlist for the first time since 2005.

The two superstars have dominated the award over the last decade, scooping the prize 12 times between them.

Messi won a record seventh Ballon d’Or in 2021 but there will be a new winner this year.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is the favourite to lift the prestigious trophy after a superb season where he won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, often turning games on their head singlehandedly.