Cristiano Ronaldo among the huge names that snubbed Ballon d'Or ceremony for Lionel Messi win

Cristiano Ronaldo was among the footballing stars to snub the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony as Lionel Messi lifted the top men's prize for the eighth time.

Ronaldo was not nominated for the men's Ballon d'Or for the first time since 2003, and the Al Nassr star decided not to attend the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

Messi won his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or, with Ronaldo behind him in second on five wins.

But the 38-year-old is in action on Tuesday, with Al Nassr taking on Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Arabia King Cup of Champions - meaning he would not have been able to attend the ceremony even if he had wanted to.

There were stars that did not turn up in Paris despite being nominated, however - though some were absent for the same reason as Ronaldo.

Karim Benzema, who placed 12th in the final rankings, will be involved when his Al Ittihad side play in the same competition.

Harry Kane also wasn't present, with Bayern Munich in DFB Pokal action against Saarbrucken on Tuesday.

But other nominees simply decided not to make the trip, it appears.

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne, who finished in fourth place for the men's award, didn't travel to Paris, although team-mates Rodri, Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland were all present.

And Real Madrid's Luka Modric, who won the 2018 award, also wasn't in Paris to see himself rank 10th, but team-mates Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior did make the trip.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who finished in eighth for the men's award, also declined to travel.

For the women's award, England quartet Mary Earps, Rachel Daly, Georgia Stanway and Millie Bright were all unable to make the ceremony in-person, as the Lionesses are in Nations League action against Belgium on Tuesday.

Chelsea and Australia star Sam Kerr, who finished in second place behind winner Aitana Bonmati, also wasn't present in Paris.

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Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.