The epic football rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may be coming to an end after the two longstanding favorites for the Ballon d’Or football award did not make the shortlist for the first time since 2003.

The award shortlist was unveiled on Wednesday night by France Football, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 28.

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who lifted the men’s award last year, was left out of the list alongside his arch rival Ronaldo who has won the award five times. The two have dominated the French award turning it into a nearly two-way contest during the peak of their careers – winning it a combined 13 times from 2008.

Messi, 37, who now plays for the American football club Inter Miami, won the award last year. The Argentine won his first Ball d’Or in 2009, consecutively winning the top prize for four years. He was first nominated in 2006.

Ronaldo, 39, was first nominated in 2004. The Portuguese now plays for the Saudi football club Al Nassr. He has previously said he plans to end his career with the club but probably not for another two or three years.

The former Real Madrid player received a special award from UEFA last week in recognition of his record-breaking achievements in the competition.

With neither Messi nor Ronaldo in contention, this year guarantees a first-time Ballon d’Or winner as past winners such as Karim Benzema and Luka Modric have not been nominated either.

England’s Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane lead the list of six English players nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or while Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp have been nominated for the women’s award.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior and Manchester City midfielder Rodri are the early favorites to win the award.