Golden Foot awards make key changes as Lionel Messi bids to complete football once and for all

The award which has evaded Lionel Messi has announced a number of changes going forward.

The Golden Foot has been going for 20 years now and sees the best player over the age of 28 recognised for their achievements in a calendar year.

Journalists are responsible for the voting but the award is the definition of exclusive, as another rule means players are ineligible in the future once they win it.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Mo Salah, Luka Modric, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, Andres Iniesta, Francesco Totti and Robert Lewandowski are among the star-studded list of past winners.

But eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has never won the prize despite his incredible performances on the pitch and being eligible since 2015.

Image: Getty

The Argentina and Inter Miami captain still has a chance though, with the Golden Foot founder, Antonio Caliendo, announcing some key changes to the award.

Typically the prize is handed out at a similar time to the Ballon d'Or at the end of a calendar year.

But it will now be given out in the summer, starting in 2024 for the 21st edition of the awards.

Roberto Baggio was the inaugural winner back in 2003 and the recipients leave their footprints on 'The Champions Promenade' on the Monaco seafront.

Image: Getty

In the future a new category will see former winners recognise their peers, while a female equivalent of the award was handed out last year.

Swedish striker Kosovare Asllani, who has played for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan, was the inaugural winner.

Barcelona striker Lewandowski was also commemorated last year and could not hide his pride.

He said: "I’m very happy, I’m very proud. For me, it’s a huge honour to win this award because I know how hard I’ve had to work for this and now I can be proud of myself.

"If you see the list of the names, the winners of this trophy, it makes me even more proud."