Lionel Messi is still yet to win one prestigious award that Mohamed Salah, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo have already claimed.
Messi has won almost every trophy there is to win in his professional career, including eight Ballon d’Or crowns.
While he didn’t win the 2024 award – it was the first time he hadn’t even been nominated since 2005 – the Argentinian has scored 20 goals and provided 18 assists in just 20 MLS appearances in 2024.
But despite his success at Barcelona, PSG and Argentina, which has seen him win league titles, Champions Leagues and even the World Cup, there is still one trophy that Messi is yet to win. But that could all be about to change soon.
He is yet to win the illustrious Golden Foot, an award was is given to active players that are over the age of 28.
The award recognises those who ‘stand out for their athletic achievements, both as individuals and team players, and for their personality’.
It has a prestigious list of previous winners, including Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah and Ronaldinho.
The award isn’t linked to performance in that particular year – Didier Drogba scored 13 goals in the year he won it in 2013, for instance – but rather reflective of an entire career.
The 2024 Golden Foot award will be handed out on Thursday evening, with Messi part of a 10-player shortlist.
However, he faces strong competition, with the likes of Neymar, Kevin De Bruyne and Virgil van Dijk also part of the shortlist.
The full shortlist is as follows:
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- Neymar (Al Hilal)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
- Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
- Marco Verratti (Al-Arabi)