Fans spot what Rodrygo posted after being left out of Ballon d'Or nominees as Jude Bellingham's responds

Following the release of the full list of Ballon d'Or nominees for 2024, Real Madrid's Rodrygo took to social media and fans picked up on it instantly.

Lionel Messi won the award for the eighth time last year, following his timeless performances in leading Argentina to their third World Cup victory in Qatar.

For only the second time in history, the award was based on the season from August to July, rather than the calendar year, enabling Messi to secure the title with 462 points.

Despite being the holder of the award the Inter Miami star was left out of nominations this year alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, making 2024 the first year since 2003 that neither player has been nominated.

While not seeing the two faces amongst the nominees certainly feels odd, it's the absence of Rodrygo that has caused a particular stir with fans and the Brazil international appeared to take to Instagram to vent his frustrations.

Following the announcement of the nominees, the Brazilian posted a collage of his 2023/24 season including himself holding the Champions League trophy to instagram alongside a laughing emoji.

A screengrab of the story was subsequently posted on social media platform X and reposted by the 23-year-old's teammate Jude Bellingham who appeared to also be shocked by the decision.

Jude Bellingham supporting Rodrygo. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/9KS5fxWfYC

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 4, 2024

Rodrygo was a key figure for Carlo Ancelotti last season scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in 28 La Liga starts.

Fans on social media have reacted to Rodrygo's emission

One fan wrote: "This is unfair and a shame for football . How ? Rodrygo has proven himself as one of the best players in football, so excluding his name from the ballon d'or nominees is something that I'm not gonna accept."

Another added: "Balon D'or has lost it's value, it's now a popularity contest coz why was the likes of Odegaard, Declan Rice, Yamal, Nico Williams, nominated but not Mo Salah, Rodrygo, KDB nominated."

Men's Ballon d'Or award shortlist in full

Antonio Rudiger - Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe - Real Madrid

Lautaro Martinez - Inter

Ademola Lookman - Atalanta

Alejandro Grimaldo - Bayer Leverkusen

Dani Carvajal - Real Madrid

William Saliba - Arsenal

Lamine Yamal - Barcelona

Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

Hakan Calhanoglu - Inter

Rodri - Man City

Declan Rice - Arsenal

Harry Kane - Bayern Munich

Cole Palmer - Chelsea

Vitinha - PSG

Vinicius Jr - Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard - Arsenal

Dani Olmo - Barcelona

Florian Wirtz - Bayer Leverkusen

Mats Hummels - Roma

Erling Haaland - Man City

Nicolas Williams - Athletic Bilbao

Granit Xhaka - Bayer Leverkusen

Artem Dovbik - Roma

Toni Kroos - Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham - Real Madrid

Phil Foden - Man City

Ruben Dias - Man City

Federico Valverde - Real Madrid

Emiliano Martinez - Aston VIlla