Lionel Messi to match Cristiano Ronaldo with rare award he’s never won? Inter Miami superstar nominated for Golden Foot – but faces competition from Harry Kane, Neymar & Kevin De Bruyne

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is the most decorated player of all-time, with his collection of major honours being taken to 46 at Inter Miami. The World Cup winner may yet land another winners’ medal in 2024 as the Herons chase down MLS Cup glory.

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  Messi has been included on the list of nominees for the MLS MVP award, and now has another individual prize in his sights. The evergreen 37-year-old has been named on the 10-man Golden Foot shortlist for 2024 – a gong handed out to players over the age of 28 that are still plying their trade at the highest level.

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    Said prize can only be won once in a career, meaning that Messi is running out of time in a bid to add it to his CV. Eternal rival Ronaldo, who is still going strong in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr at 39 years of age, was handed the Golden Foot in 2020 during his time at Juventus.

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    The Golden Foot was first presented in 2003, with Italian icon Roberto Baggio the inaugural winner. Since then the likes of Andriy Shevchenko, Brazilian great Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Didier Drogba, Andres Iniesta, Mohamed Salah and Robert Lewandowski have seen their achievements recognised.

  • WHAT NEXT?

    In 2024, Messi faces fierce competition for the prestigious prize. In order to tick another box on his remarkable roll of honour, the South American will need to fend off Harry Kane, Neymar, Kevin De Bruyne, Virgil van Dijk, Thomas Muller, Karim Benzema, Lautaro Martinez, Antoine Griezmann and Marco Verratti.