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For the first time in over two decades <keyword id="64" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="football" source="Orion">football</keyword> greats <keyword id="19960395" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cristiano-Ronaldo" source="keywords">Cristiano Ronaldo</keyword> and <keyword id="20025988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lionel-Messi" source="keywords">Lionel Messi</keyword> will not feature in the <keyword id="23047334" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ballon-dOr-nominations" source="keywords">Ballon d'Or nominations</keyword>.<br /><br /><keyword id="19945360" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Messi" source="keywords">Messi</keyword> has won this prestigious award for a record 8 times, he won it last year as well. While the Portuguese superstar has received this award 5 times.<br /><br /><keyword id="20149352" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ronaldo" source="keywords">Ronaldo</keyword> plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr currently. Messi, on the other hand, is in the United States and playing for Inter Miami.<br /><br />The Argentine maestro helped the club lift their maiden trophy.<br /><br />Ronaldo had won his first <keyword id="460284" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ballon-dOr" source="Orion">Ballon d'Or</keyword> in 2008 while he was playing for Manchester United and still holds the record of the last Premier League player to claim the top prize. Messi won his first in 2009 and was nominated for 16 years.<br /><br />Among the list of 30 players, there are six players from England who are nominated. Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice are all in the contention. Bellingham was nominated because of his exceptional debut campaign with Real Madrid. He helped England to reach the final of Euro 2024.<br /><br />There are six players from the Euro 2024 champions Spain, Rodri, DCarvajal, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, and Alejandro Grimaldo. Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior is also a favourite to win the award. Kylian Mbappe is also on the list along with Manchester City's Erling Haaland.<br /><br />The golden glove winner of the FIFA World Cup 2022, Emiliano Martinez, has made it to the list.<br /><br />The list of 30 players who are nominated for this year's Ballon d'Or are:<br /><br />Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Dani Carvajal, Bukayo Saka, Ruben Dias, William Saliba, Fede Valverde, Cole Palmer, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Toni Kroos, Martin Odegaard, Emiliano Martinez, Granit Xhaka, Artem Dovbyk, Harry Kane, Mats Hummels, Hakan Calhanoglu, Nico Williams, Phil Foden, Florian Wirtz, Dani Olmo, Declan Rice, Vitinha, Ademola Lookman, Lautaro Martinez, Alejandro Grimaldo, Antonio Rudiger. (ANI)<br /><br />

End of an era: Ronaldo and Messi absent from Ballon d'Or nominations for the first time in over 20 years

<ul class="summary-list"><li>After winning a 7th Ballon d'Or, <keyword id="11894249" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lionel-messi" source="Orion">Lionel Messi</keyword> called for a rival to win last year's canceled prize.</li><li>"Everyone knows and we agree that you were the winner last year," he said of <keyword id="12416782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="robert-lewandowski" source="Orion">Robert Lewandowski</keyword>.</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> made a classy gesture after beating Robert Lewandowski to the Ballon d'Or, suggesting the Bayern Munich striker should be retroactively awarded last year's cancelled award.</p><p>The Argentine <a href="https://www.insider.com/ballon-dor-lionel-messi-wouldnt-vote-cristiano-ronaldo-again-2021-10">scooped a record seventh prize on Monday night,</a> with Lewandowski finishing second and Chelsea's Jorginho coming third.</p><p>The 34-year-old was the favourite going into the event after leading Argentina to the Copa America in the summer and finishing top scorer in La Liga last term with 30 goals, despite Barcelona's failure to win any silverware and the club's early exit from the Champions League.</p><p>In his acceptance speech, Messi made sure to shout out Lewandowski, who enjoyed an equally fine 2020/21 season, scoring 48 goals in all competitions for Bayern.</p><p>The Polish marksman has scored in excess of 100 goals in the past two years, a feat only matched in recent years by the prime years of Messi and his great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.</p><p>"I'd like to mention Robert, it's been a real honour to compete with him," Messi said on stage. "Everyone knows and we agree that you were the winner last year.</p><p>"I think France Football should award you your 2020 Ballon d'Or, you deserved it."</p><p>The 2020 edition of the Ballon d'Or was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic cutting the European <keyword id="11897666" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="soccer" source="Orion">soccer</keyword> season short.</p><div type="image" title="Lewandowski" height="1000" width="2000" msid="88007514" hostid="261"></div><p>Lewandowski had scored 55 goals that term to help Bayern lift the treble, finishing as the top scorer in every competition he played in, including the Champions League.</p><p>The Pole did not finish Monday night empty handed, however, winning the inaugural "Striker of the Year" award, a category which some pundits speculated was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/30/lionel-messi-ballon-dor-copa-america">created simply as a consolation prize for Lewandowski after not winning the main award.</a></p><p>After the ceremony, he congratulated Messi on his win, as well as FC Barcelona's Alexia Putellas, who won the women's prize.</p><p>"Congratulations Leo Messi and Alexia Putellas, winners of the Ballon d'Or 2021," <a href="https://twitter.com/lewy_official/status/1465432506602295299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1465432506602295299%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-4067590453730940576.ampproject.net%2F2111060251009%2Fframe.html">Lewandowski tweeted.</a></p><p>"Congratulations also to all nominated players. I won the Striker of the Year Award and no player can win an individual award without a strong team and loyal fans behind them. Thank you for your support."</p>

Lionel Messi called for his Ballon d'Or rival to be retroactively given last year's canceled award after winning again this year

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Each year, France Football awards its most prestigious trophy - the Ballon d'Or - to the world's best men's soccer player.</li><li>Throughout the day on Monday, France Football released the list of 30 players in consideration for the 2018 Ballon d'Or, including Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo, and Paris St. Germain's Neymar.</li><li>France Football also unveiled the 15-person shortlist for its first-ever women's Ballon d'Or Monday afternoon.</li></ul><p><br>Each year, France Football awards its most prestigious trophy - the Ballon d'Or - to the world's best men's soccer player. The organization revealed the 30 players in contention for the 2018 Ballon d'Or throughout the day Monday, and many of the biggest names in soccer have made the list.</br></p><p>Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has taken the trophy home in each of the last two years, but Portugal's early departure from the World Cup combined with his rocky start with new club Juventus and the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-rape-allegations-kathryn-mayorga-2018-10">recent rape allegations levied against him</a> could doom his chances at a three-peat.</p><p>&#xa0;</p><p>Lionel Messi - who also has five Ballons d'Or - could reclaim the honor for the first time since 2015, but his inability to lead Argentina to success at the World Cup has undoubtedly dampened his chances.</p><p>&#xa0;</p><p>Likewise, Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar is an unlikely pick to break through to win his first Ballon d'Or this year due to his international performances. Brazil failed to live up to expectations for the 2018 World Cup, falling to Belgium in a major quarterfinal upset.</p><p>&#xa0;</p><p>The favorite to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or, however, is midfielder Luka Modric. The Real Madrid veteran captained Croatia to its first ever World Cup final, after which he earned&#xa0;the Golden Ball as the best player in the tournament. Modric has already earned FIFA World Player of the Year honors and is widely expected to add the Ballon d'Or to his collection of awards after posting an absolutely stellar year. Messi and Ronaldo have had a monopoly on the Ballon d'Or for the past decade, but Modric may be the man to end their collective reign.</p><p>&#xa0;</p><p>France Football also released the shortlist of players nominated to receive the first-ever women's Ballon d'Or, which includes five-time&#xa0;<span>FIFA World Player of the Year winner Marta, Australian blackflipper and&#xa0;all-time NWSL leading scorer Sam Kerr, and U.S. Women's National Team captain Megan Rapinoe</span>. Lyon dominated with seven of fifteen nominees playing for the club.</p><p>Check out the complete list of men's and women's Ballon d'Or nominees:</p><h3><strong>Men's nominees:</strong></h3><div>Sergio Agüero&#xa0;(ARG / Manchester City)</div><div>Alisson&#xa0;(BRE / Liverpool)</div><div>Gareth Bale&#xa0;(GAL / Real Madrid)</div><div>Karim Benzema&#xa0;(FRA / Real Madrid)</div><div>Edinson Cavani&#xa0;(URU / PSG)</div><div>Thibaut Courtois&#xa0;(BEL / Chelsea)</div><div>Cristiano Ronaldo&#xa0;(POR / Juventus Turin)</div><div>Kevin De Bruyne&#xa0;(BEL / Manchester City)</div><div>Roberto Firmino&#xa0;(BRE / Liverpool)</div><div>Diego Godin&#xa0;(URU / Atlético Madrid)</div><div>Antoine Griezmann&#xa0;(FRA / Atlético Madrid)</div><div>Eden Hazard&#xa0;(BEL / Chelsea)</div><div>Isco&#xa0;(ESP / Real Madrid)</div><div>Harry Kane&#xa0;(ANG / Tottenham)</div><div>N'Golo Kanté&#xa0;(FRA / Chelsea)</div><div>Hugo Lloris&#xa0;(FRA / Tottenham)</div><div>Mario Mandzukic&#xa0;(CRO / Juventus Turin)</div><div>Sadio Mané&#xa0;(SEN / Liverpool)</div><div>Marcelo&#xa0;(BRE / Real Madrid)</div><div>Kylian Mbappé&#xa0;(FRA / PSG)</div><div>Lionel Messi&#xa0;(ARG / FC Barcelone)</div><div>Luka Modric&#xa0;(CRO / Real Madrid)</div><div>Neymar&#xa0;(BRA / PSG)</div><div>Jan Oblak&#xa0;(SLO / Atlético Madrid)</div><div>Paul Pogba&#xa0;(FRA / Manchester United)</div><div>Ivan Rakitic&#xa0;(CRO / FC Barcelone)</div><div>Mohamed Salah&#xa0;(EGY / Liverpool)</div><div>Sergio Ramos&#xa0;(ESP / Real Madrid)</div><div>Luis Suarez&#xa0;(URU / FC Barcelone)</div><div>Raphaël Varane&#xa0;(FRA / Real Madrid)</div><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div><h3><strong>Women's nominees:</strong></h3><div>Lucy Bronze (ENG / Lyon)</div><div>Pernille Harder (DEN / Wolfsburg)</div><div>Ada Hegerberg (NOR / Lyon)</div><div>Amandine Henry (FRA / Lyon)</div><div>Lindsey Horan (USA / Portland)</div><div>Sam Kerr (AUS / Chicago)</div><div>Fran Kirby (ENG / Chelsea)</div><div>Saki Kumagai (JPN / Lyon)</div><div>Dzsenifer Marozsan (GER / Lyon)</div><div>Amel Majri (FRA / Lyon)</div><div>Marta (BRA / Orlando)</div><div>Lieke Martens (NED / Barcelona)</div><div>Megan Rapinoe (USA / Seattle)</div><div>Wendie Renard (FRA / Lyon)</div><div>Christine Sinclair (CAN / Portland)</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chrissy-teigens-trainer-reveals-workout-secrets-2018-9">Chrissy Teigen's trainer reveals her workout secrets</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

The 2018 Ballon d'Or nominees have been revealed

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Kylian Mbappe is backing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/lionel-messi?r=US&amp;IR=T">Lionel Messi</a> to win a record sixth Ballon d'Or award next month when the winner is announced on December 2.</li><li>Messi has scored 45 goals this calendar year for club and country, guiding FC Barcelona to the La Liga title and Argentina to the Copa America semis.</li><li>Mbappe told <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/plus/kylian-mbappe-ich-weiss-schon-ich-bin-nicht-gott-a-00000000-0002-0001-0000-000167093496" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Der Spiegel</a> that Messi "was the best this year."</li><li>Mbappe is also part of the final 30-man shortlist for the prize, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard, and Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/soccer-news?r=US&amp;IR=T">Read more of our soccer coverage here.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul><p>Kylian Mbappe is backing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/lionel-messi?r=US&amp;IR=T">Lionel Messi</a> to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or award.</p><p>Messi has won the prize a joint record five times alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, meaning should he win in Paris next month, he will become the award's most frequent ever recipient with six titles.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/neymar-suarez-and-modric-omitted-from-ballon-dor-shortlist-2019-10?r=US&amp;IR=T">The Argentine faces stiff competition</a> from Ronaldo, Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk, and Mbappe himself, but the Paris Saint Germain forward believes there can only be one winner.</p><p>And told <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/plus/kylian-mbappe-ich-weiss-schon-ich-bin-nicht-gott-a-00000000-0002-0001-0000-000167093496" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Der Spiegel</a> that it should be Messi. "In individual terms, he was the best this year."</p><p>Messi has scored 45 goals this calendar year for club and country, guiding FC Barcelona to the La Liga title and Argentina to the Copa America semifinals.</p><p>Nine of those goals have come in his last eight games for Barca, helping it sit at the top of the Spanish league again.</p><p>In contrast, long term rival Cristiano Ronaldo has managed 33 goals, however almost a quarter of those (7) came in the space of two games against international minnows Lithuania.</p><p>Messi is one of four FC Barcelona players up for the award, with Frenkie de Jong, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Antoine Griezmann also part of the final 30-man shortlist.</p><p>Liverpool is the team with the most players nominated however with seven, those being Mane, Van Dijk, Alisson, Mohamed Salah, Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.</p><p>Manchester City has five nominees (Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, and Raheem Sterling), while Real Madrid has two (Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema.)</p><p>Mbappe is just one of two PSG players given the nod, the other being Brazilian defender Marquinhos.</p><p><strong>You can see the full list of nominees here:</strong></p><p>The most notable omissions for the final shortlist are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/neymar-suarez-and-modric-omitted-from-ballon-dor-shortlist-2019-10?r=US&amp;IR=T">Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, and World Cup winner Paul Pogba.</a></p><p>The winner of the award, voted for by journalists and national team captains, will be announced on December 2.</p><p><strong>Read more:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-sends-photo-collage-of-himself-as-gift-to-dortmund-teen-2019-11" data-analytics-position="1" data-analytics-module="">Lionel Messi sent Borussia Dortmund's 15-year-old striker a selection of birthday presents which included a photo collage of himself</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/antonio-conte-advises-his-inter-milan-players-how-to-have-sex-2019-11" data-analytics-position="2" data-analytics-module="">One of the best football managers in Europe wants his players to have sex for 'short periods' with 'minimum effort' and preferably under their partners</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/erling-braut-haland-says-manchester-united-rumors-are-boring-2019-11" data-analytics-position="12" data-analytics-module="">A 19-year-old scores so many goals he's starting to sleep with his winning footballs, calls them his 'girlfriends,' and says Manchester United links are 'boring as f---'</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/real-madrid-consider-half-a-billion-bid-for-kylian-mbappe-2019-11" data-analytics-position="17" data-analytics-module="">Real Madrid is reportedly considering spending more than half a billion dollars to snatch PSG's 20-year-old French forward Kylian Mbappe away from Barcelona</a></p><div></div>

Kylian Mbappe is backing Lionel Messi to win a record sixth Ballon d'Or award simply because he is 'the best'

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Neymar, Luis Suarez, and last year's winner Luka Modric have all been omitted from the <a href="https://www.francefootball.fr/diaporama/La-liste-complete-des-30-nommes-pour-le-ballon-d-or-france-football-2019/7757/#1">30-man shortlist for the 2019 Ballon d'Or award.</a></li><li>France Football, which presents the award, says Neymar missed out because of a <a href="https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Pas-retenu-dans-la-liste-des-30-du-ballon-d-or-france-football-2019-neymar-a-vecu-une-annee-noire/1072132">"black" and "very complicated" year</a>, while Modric did so due to <a href="https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Luka-modric-premier-ballon-d-or-france-football-sortant-a-etre-absent-de-la-liste-des-nommes-l-annee-suivante/1072122">failing to match the standards he set last season.</a></li><li>Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, World Cup winning duo Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante, and Paris Saint Germain striker Edinson Cavani also missed out.</li><li>The winner of the award will be announced in Paris on December 2.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/soccer-news?r=US&amp;IR=T">Read more of our soccer coverage here.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul><p>Neymar, Luis Suarez, and last year's winner Luka Modric have all been omitted from the shortlist for the 2019 Ballon d'Or award.</p><p>The annual award is handed to the "world's best soccer player," as voted by journalists from across the world.</p><p>France Football<a href="https://www.francefootball.fr/diaporama/La-liste-complete-des-30-nommes-pour-le-ballon-d-or-france-football-2019/7757/#1">,</a> which presents the award, <a href="https://www.francefootball.fr/diaporama/La-liste-complete-des-30-nommes-pour-le-ballon-d-or-france-football-2019/7757/#1">revealed its 30-man shortlist on Monday</a>.</p><p>Neymar missed out for the first time since 2010, with <a href="https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Pas-retenu-dans-la-liste-des-30-du-ballon-d-or-france-football-2019-neymar-a-vecu-une-annee-noire/1072132">France Football citing a "black" and "very complicated" year</a> as reason for the Brazilian's exclusion.&#xa0;</p><p>Meanwhile, Luka Modric, who scooped the prize in 2018, will not feature because he is <a href="https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Luka-modric-premier-ballon-d-or-france-football-sortant-a-etre-absent-de-la-liste-des-nommes-l-annee-suivante/1072122">"struggling more than expected to get back to the top of his game."</a> It is the first time since the award's inception in 1956 that the previous winner has not been nominated the following year.&#xa0;</p><p>FC Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, and World Cup winner Paul Pogba also missed out on a place in the final 30, as did Chelsea's N'Golo Kante and Paris Saint Germain striker Edinson Cavani.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/barcelona-transfer-news-mbappe-perfect-but-kane-rashford-a-waste-2019-10?r=US&amp;IR=T">FC Barcelona has a shortlist of 3 high-profile players to replace Luis Suarez but 2 of them would be a massive waste of money</a></em></p><p>Liverpool FC has the most players nominated from a single club with seven of Jurgen Klopp's men - Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino, and Georginio Wijnaldum - making the cut.&#xa0;</p><p>Premier League rival Manchester City has five players nominated in the form of Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Sergio Aguero, while FC Barcelona has four in Lionel Messi, Frenkie de Jong, Antoine Griezmann, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.</p><p>Juventus and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo is again nominated for a record 16th time.</p><p><strong>The full list of nominees can be seen here:&#xa0;</strong></p><p>The winner of the award will be announced in Paris on December 2.</p><p><em>Associate Translation Editor Ruqayyah Moynihan contributed to this article.&#xa0;</em></p><div></div><div></div>

Neymar, Luis Suarez, and last year's winner Luka Modric have all been omitted from the 2019 Ballon d'Or shortlist

A complete timeline of Tom Holland and Zendaya's relationship

<p class="source"><span>AP Images/Jon Gambrell/Armando Franca</span></p><p class="caption">Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks Ronaldo should consider when he must retire soon.</p><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/khabib-nurmagomedov?r=US&amp;IR=T">Khabib Nurmagomedov</a> says <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/cristiano-ronaldo?r=US&amp;IR=T">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> should retire before "younger" and "hungrier" players "come and take" his place.</li><li>"If you don't leave at the right time, you'll be left behind," the Russian fighter told a reporter, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfdUhcvc8o" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to RT Sport</a>.</li><li>"My advice to him, and to me as well, is to leave at the right time," he added. "It doesn't matter if it's Cristiano or Khabib, people will come and take your place."</li><li>Ronaldo, 34, has endured his worst start to a domestic season in a decade, scoring just nine times as Juventus sit second in Serie A.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/soccer-news?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=TIR=TIR=T">Read more of our soccer coverage here.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/khabib-nurmagomedov?r=US&amp;IR=T">Khabib Nurmagomedov</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/cristiano-ronaldo?r=US&amp;IR=T">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> have struck up an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfDbp5xlugi/?hl=en">unlikely friendship over the last two years.</a></p><p>The pair even go to watch each other in action from time to time, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfB_RJOFlj0/?utm_source=ig_embed">most recently when Nurmagomedov visited the Santiago Bernabeu</a> to watch Ronaldo stand out for Real Madrid in 2018.</p><p>That relationship may be in jeopardy after the Russian's most recent comments however, in which he suggested his Portuguese pal should retire before "younger" and "hungrier" players "come and take" his place.</p><p>Nurmagomedov made the remarks when asked by a reporter if he had any "advice on staying fit" for the 34-year-old soccer star, whom "seems not to want to retire" just yet, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfdUhcvc8o">according to RT Sport.</a></p><p>"Well you know, it's hard to leave something you've done your whole life," Khabib said. "But it doesn't matter whether you want to or not, the time will come when if you don't leave the sport, the sport will leave you.</p><p>"If you don't leave at the right time, you'll be left behind as there'll be new champions, younger, hungrier, more motivated guys. You won't same motivation and hunger you've  had at the beginning of your career towards its end. Nobody will be around forever, so it's important to leave at the right time.</p><p>"How old is [Ronaldo]? 34? At 35 he won't have the same conditioning and reaction time."</p><p>Nurmagomedov, 31, also added however that it is time he begins to think about retirement himself.</p><p>"The Eagle" most recently defeated Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in September 2019, and is next scheduled to take on Tony Ferguson in April, 2020, as he looks to defend his UFC lightweight championship for a third time.</p><p>"It doesn't matter if it's Cristiano or Khabib, people will come and take your place," he said. </p><p>"My advice to him, and to me as well, is to leave at the right time. I haven't taken advice from him about [training and fitness] because right now I feel good, and when I start to fall behind in some areas, I'll probably consult him.</p><p>"But for now he's performing, I'm performing and we have no problems."</p><p>Ronaldo has had a difficult start to new season with Juventus, scoring just 11 goals in all competitions - his worst return by this point in the season in a decade. </p><p>Juventus currently sit second in Serie A, and next face Sampdoria on Wednesday, December 18.</p><p><strong>Read more:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-25th-best-player-data-2019-12">Cristiano Ronaldo is the 25th best player in world football right now, according to a computer algorithm</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jorge-mendes-cristiano-ronaldo-is-the-best-player-in-history-2019-12">Cristiano Ronaldo's agent said the Juventus star is 'the best in history, and you know it' after he placed 3rd in the Ballon d'Or</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nurmagomedov-doesnt-like-hurting-opponents-unless-its-conor-mcgregor-2019-11">Khabib Nurmagomedov says he doesn't like inflicting pain on opponents unless he's fighting Conor McGregor</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-makes-more-money-from-instagram-than-juventus-2019-10">Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly makes more money being an influencer on Instagram than he does playing soccer for Juventus</a></p>                <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pixar-disney-toy-story-4-how-animated-start-finish-2019-7">Pixar's 'Toy Story 4' was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Animated for the 2020 Golden Globes. Here's how it was animated from start to finish.</a></h3>

Khabib Nurmagomedov says 34-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo should retire before 'younger, hungrier' players 'come and take' his place

<p><table class="image-container float_right" width="200"><tr><td><div class="image"></div><p class="source">YouTube/AP Images</p></td></tr></table>There has been a rumor circulating for a while that 21-year-old Brazilian <keyword id="3071" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Soccer">soccer</keyword> sensation <keyword id="6359232" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Neymar">Neymar</keyword> would join forces with <keyword id="704" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Lionel-Messi">Lionel Messi</keyword> at <keyword id="6355518" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Barcelona">Barcelona</keyword> F.C. in Spain's La Liga.</p>
<p>Now, <em>Sport</em>, a Spanish <keyword id="6356028" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sports">sports</keyword> tabloid is reporting that Neymar will join the club in July (<a href="http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/spanish-paper-sport-claim-neymar-will-be-a-barcelona-player-on-july-1st-2013/"><em>via 101greatgoals.com</em></a>).</p>
<p>The move would pair Messi, who has won four Ballon d'Ors given to Fifa's player of the year, with Neymar, the next great Brazilian footballer. And it doesn't stop there as Barcelona may soon have the talent to be the greatest soccer team ever.</p>
<p>In addition to Messi and Neymar, Barça also has Andres Iniesta, who was a finalist for this year's Ballon d'Or, and Xavi, a midfielder that has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or five times.</p>

Brazilian Soccer Phenom Is Reportedly Joining Barcelona's Dream Team

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Virgil van Dijk should be named as the winner of The UEFA Men's Player of the Year, ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.</li><li>The Dutchman excelled for Liverpool and the Netherlands last season, reaching the final of the UEFA Nations League, winning the Champions League, and also claiming the PFA Player of the Year award.</li><li>The 28-year-old defender also scored six times for Liverpool last season, and three times for his country, which is the same as what Messi and Ronaldo managed for Argentina and Portugal respectively.</li><li>The winner will be announced alongside the Champions League draw in Monaco on Thursday.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/soccer-news?r=US&amp;IR=T">Read more of our soccer stories here.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>The UEFA Men's Player of the Year winner will be announced at a glitzy ceremony in Monaco on Thursday.</p><p>UEFA revealed its three man shortlist on August 15 and Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Virgil van Dijk were nominated as Europe's triumvirate of top performers.</p><p>All three had excellent individual seasons. Van Dijk captained Liverpool to its sixth Champions League title; Messi tallied 51 goals in all competitions for Barcelona, scooping his tenth La Liga title in the process; while Ronaldo won his first Scudetto with Juventus and the inaugural UEFA Nations League finals with Portugal.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-better-messi-or-ronaldo-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo has blasted the Juventus forward as an 'egotist' who would 'spend all day in the mirror'</a></em></p><p>So who should take home UEFA's most coveted individual prize?</p><p>Well, the answer is clear - van Dijk.</p><h2>Van Dijk channeled Gandalf the Grey last season</h2><p>Gandalf famously bellowed "you shall not pass" at the Balrog on The Bridge of Khazad-dum in "The Lord of the Rings."</p><p>You know the scene. And if you replace Sir Ian McKellen with Van Dijk, and the fiery winged hell-dragon trying to pass him with opposition players, you have a pretty accurate metaphor depicting the Dutchman's season.</p><p>Not one player managed to <a href="https://talksport.com/football/582314/virgil-van-dijk-dribbled-past-stats-manchester-city-liverpool/">dribble past Van Dijk during the whole of the 2018-2019</a>. That's 56 games for club and country in which no-one made it past the him without losing the ball - including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he competed against on three occasions.</p><p>J.R.R Tolkein might describe van Dijk's season as lacaraitë, which is Elvish for unreal. And when combined with the <a href="https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=59442&amp;season_id=151">26 clean sheets</a> he helped Liverpool keep last season, you've got yourself a bonafide defensive wizard.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><p>Fabio Cannavaro is the only defender in history to have won the Ballon d'Or or be named FIFA World Player of the Year, and no defender has claimed the title of UEFA Men's Player of the Year.</p><p>Attack-minded players tend to be viewed more favorably when the votes are cast for these awards. And though van Dijk's work helped revolutionize the backline at Liverpool FC, his attacking prowess cannot be overlooked.</p><p>The Dutchman scored six goals for Liverpool last season, four of which came in the Premier League, and two in the Champions League, which included a decisive header against Bayern Munich in the Round of 16.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/liverpool-fc-to-sign-record-breaking-kit-deal-with-nike-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liverpool FC is about to sign a Nike kit deal worth more than $91 million, the biggest in Premier League history</a></em></p><p>He also provided four assists for his teammates, including two in Europe, which is same amount as Cristiano Ronaldo managed, and only one less than Lionel Messi.</p><p>For his country, Van Dijk was equally as impressive in the attacking third, scoring three times in just eight games. That is the same return both Messi and Ronaldo managed for Argentina and Portugal respectively.</p><p>Reminder: van Dijk's a centre back. It's his job to prevent goals. He does that, while also creating and scoring them at the other end of the field.</p><h2>van Dijk excelled in every competition</h2><p>UEFA define that the <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2617493.html">winner of it's Player of the Year award should be</a> "judged in regard to their performances over the whole season in all competitions - both domestically and internationally - at either club, or national team level."</p><p>Lionel Messi was brilliant in La Liga as always, and a good performer in the UEFA Champions League, too, with 12 goals. But the Argentine struggled internationally. He only scored once during the whole competition, and was sent off in Argentina's third place play-off win over Chile.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-better-messi-or-ronaldo-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lionel Messi has been twice as good as Cristiano Ronaldo in the modern era, according to a computer algorithm</a></em></p><p>Ronaldo's season acted as a counter to his rival. He excelled internationally for Portugal as the team won the inaugural UEFA Nations League, but he failed to take the Serie A by storm with Juventus, like he did in La Liga when he was at Real Madrid.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><p>The 34-year-old's return of 21 goals and eight assists in Serie A is solid but inferior to what he accomplished in Spain. In the Champions League, he managed six goals, but his campaign was marred by a red card in the opening game against Valencia. His team was also banished by a young, and brilliant, Ajax team at the quarterfinal stage.</p><p>Van Dijk was consistently excellent. He was crucial throughout Liverpool's sixth Champions League-winning campaign, he scooped the PFA Player of the Year award in the Premier League, and was a standout player for the Netherlands, who finished second behind Portugal.</p><ul><li>Van Dijk prevented Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dribbling past him in each of his three encounters with the pair throughout the season.</li><li>Van Dijk scored as many times for his country last season as both Messi and Ronaldo, with all three managing three goals for their respective nations.</li><li>He also managed an equal amount of European assists for Liverpool as Ronaldo for Juventus, and only one less than Barcelona for Messi.</li><li>The Dutchman, a bonafide defensive wizard, excelled across every competition he played in for club and country, helping Netherlands to the UEFA Nations League final and Liverpool to the Champions League trophy.</li></ul><p>The winner for Thursday's UEFA Men's Player of the Year is clear. It has to be van Dijk.</p>

You Searched For "Ballon d Or nominations" and got 10 results

End of an era: Ronaldo and Messi absent from Ballon d'Or nominations for the first time in over 20 years

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Lionel Messi called for his Ballon d'Or rival to be retroactively given last year's canceled award after winning again this year

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The 2018 Ballon d'Or nominees have been revealed

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Kylian Mbappe is backing Lionel Messi to win a record sixth Ballon d'Or award simply because he is 'the best'

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Neymar, Luis Suarez, and last year's winner Luka Modric have all been omitted from the 2019 Ballon d'Or shortlist

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Khabib Nurmagomedov says 34-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo should retire before 'younger, hungrier' players 'come and take' his place

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Brazilian Soccer Phenom Is Reportedly Joining Barcelona's Dream Team

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We analyzed who the best soccer player in the world was last year: Messi, Ronaldo, or Van Dijk - and the winner is clear

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A complete timeline of Tom Holland and Zendaya's relationship

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