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Piero Hincapie: Arsenal's Exciting New Defender On A £45m Loan Deal.

Arsenal’s Summer Ambitions Meet Hincapie’s Rising Star Weapons store have reliably illustrated driven squad-building beneath Mikel Arteta, focusing on youthful, flexible gifts balanced to raise the team's play presently and within the future. Piero Hincapie—a 23-year-old Ecuadorian defender known for his aggression, technical ability, and adaptability—perfectly aligns with this strategy. The bargain: a season-long advance from Bayer Leverkusen, including an alternative to purchase for a add up to potential taken a toll of £52 million (£45 million/$61 million), additionally a 10% sell-on clause for Leverkusen in case Weapons store trigger the purchase. For Arsenal, this structure delivers squad depth without immediate financial strain, while Leverkusen secure long-term value from one of their top assets. Hincapie’s Profile: From South America to Bundesliga Standout Early Rise: Hincapie risen from Ecuador's Independiente del Valle, inspiring with his development and constancy so...

For the first time in 21 years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not on the Ballon d'Or shortlist.

In 2024, the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or looked slightly different.


As France Football magazine announced the 30 nominees in batches of five, supporters expected to see at least Lionel Messi's name after his Copa America success in the summer, and possibly Cristiano Ronaldo after his 50 goals for Al Nassr last season.

However, neither Messi nor Ronaldo were among the final five players revealed.

Ronaldo was less surprising. The 39-year-old had already missed 2023 and struggled to make an impression for Portugal at Euro 2024, demonstrating that the Saudi Pro League is a step below the standard he left behind in Europe.

Messi has also left European club football, joining Inter Miami in 2023. He did, however, win the Ballon d'Or that year, as a prize for Argentina's World Cup victory in 2022. His complete exclusion from the list of nominees came as a shock.

Messi, at 37, would have been vying for a record-extending ninth Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo has won five, and the pair who defined the last generation of professional football and are two of the greatest of all time have a combined 13 Ballon d'Or awards.

From 2008 to 2017, no one else won it. Since Kaka's success in 2007, only Luka Modric (2018) and Karim Benzema (2022) have broken the duopoly.

Ronaldo received his first nomination in 2004, following his debut season with Manchester United and his breakout performance for Portugal at that summer's European Championship. Since then, one or both of them have consistently made the shortlist.

In 2003, the world of football looked completely different. Serie A was still arguably king, although it would eventually be dethroned by the Premier League and La Liga in subsequent years.

Pavel Nedved won the Ballon d'Or after leading Juventus to the Champions League final. The Czech winger finished well ahead of Arsenal forward Thierry Henry and AC Milan star Paolo Maldini. Andriy Shevchenko and Zinedine Zidane rounded out the top five, with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roberto Carlos, and David Beckham finishing in the top 10.

The overall shortlist included up to 50 players, nearly double the number today, with 26 obtaining at least one vote and the remaining 24 failing to receive any.

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