Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is among 30 nominees for the Ballon d’ Or , France Football magazine announced on Friday, in a list that does not include Lionel Messi.

The French international has had an incredible season with Real Madrid, scoring 44 goals in 46 appearances and helping the Whites win the Champions League and LaLiga.

Messi, a seven-time winner of the award, was not nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or for the first time since 2005. Another who did not appear on the list was his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar.

Other nominees are Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland -who has just signed for the club from Borussia Dortmund- and the top scorer in the Premier League last season, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

The prize for the best player in the world will be delivered on October 17. The trophy will now be awarded on the basis of a regular season from August to July instead of a calendar year.