Argentina legend Lionel Messi’s wait for the Golden Foot continues after the Inter Miami star was pipped to the award.
First introduced in 2003, the Golden Foot award is handed to players who are at least 27 years old and can only be won once during a their career.
Each award winner has previously been invited to add their footprints to a ‘Champions Promenade’ in Monaco.
Over the years, the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Ronaldinho have all won the award.
Many felt this year could finally be Messi’s turn to get his hands on the Golden Foot as he was nominated alongside Marco Verratti, Neymar, Virgil van Dijk, Thomas Muller, Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne, Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmman and Lautaro Martinez.
The Argentine has been in fine form after scoring 22 goals and assisting 13 in 23 matches for Inter Miami, who are set to take on Atlanta United in the Major League Soccer play-offs on Saturday.
However, the 37-year-old’s wait for the Golden Foot continues as the winner was announced on Friday morning.
Messi’s Argentina teammate and Inter Milan star Martinez has been named the winner of the 2024 Golden Foot.
An official social media post read: “Lautaro Martínez wins the Golden Foot Awards 2024.”
Martinez managed to register 27 goals and seven assists in 44 matches across all competitions during the 23/24 campaign. This season, the 27-year-old has scored five and assisted four in 12 games.
Last week, Martinez finished in seventh place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or standings.
After the ceremony, he said: “To be honest, I was expecting more than 7th position at the Ballon d’Or. Sometimes at these awards they are unfair.
“I’ll be working hard to improve that position.”
The 2024 Ballon d’Or was won by Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, who finished above Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.