Golden Foot: Lionel Messi Yet to Win Unique Award Already Won by Cristiano Ronaldo

• Lionel Messi has won pretty much every individual award but the Golden Foot
• Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski was the latest recipient of the award
• Messi's rival, Cristiano Ronaldo won the award three years ago

Lionel Messi stands on the precipice of securing the prestigious Ballon d'Or later this month, a testament to his outstanding performances both at the club and international levels.

The 36-year-old reached the pinnacle of his illustrious career by leading Argentina to a spectacular FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar last year.

Additionally, the Argentine maestro triumphantly secured both the French Super Cup and the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.

Throughout the season, Messi showcased his brilliance, amassing 21 goals and providing 20 assists in 41 matches across various competitions with the Parisian club.

His subsequent move to Inter Miami in July made a significant impact, captivating the MLS team with a series of mesmerising performances.

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According to GOAL, a victory in this year's Ballon d'Or would mark a record-extending eighth win for the Barcelona legend, further solidifying his unparalleled legacy in the sport.

Lionel Messi yet to win unique award

Yet, one notable accolade conspicuously eludes his illustrious collection, the Golden Foot award, an honour already claimed by Cristiano Ronaldo and a select few.

As reported by Sportskeeda, the prestigious Golden Foot has found its way into the hands of football's finest, including Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Mohamed Salah, Luka Modric, and Robert Lewandowski.

However, Messi's name remains conspicuously absent from this exclusive list, with the award being bestowed upon Robert Lewandowski in the previous year during his tenure at Barcelona.

What is the Golden Foot award?

Per RSSSF, the Golden Foot award is an international football honour presented to players who distinguish themselves through exceptional athletic accomplishments, both as individuals and as team contributors, coupled with a charismatic personality.

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This accolade is exclusively bestowed upon active players who are a minimum of 28 years old, and it's a one-time achievement.

How Ballon d'Or voting works

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that one common question is how the whole Ballon d'Or process works. Who chooses the nominees and the eventual winner? There have been some controversial Ballon d'Or calls in history where fans were divided on the voting process.

The Ballon d'Or rules were altered in 2021, with a significant change being effected after Messi won his seventh title. The award would no longer consider the achievements inside a calendar year but would adopt a season-to-season format.