Lionel Messi is counted among the major contenders for the title of greatest Ballon d'Or winner ever.
Harry Kane received the coveted trophy at the London Palladium on Monday night.
The Bayern Munich and England forward, who arrived at the star-studded ceremony wearing a Rolex valued at close to £1MILLION, claimed the Ballon d'Or for the first time.
Players who have collected the award more than once are now eligible for the BOAT - the All-Time Ballon d'Or.
Messi, 39, finished fifth, missing out on beating Kane for the prestigious prize.
The Argentine icon could still make history by winning the newly introduced honour.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been nominated together with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Other nominees include Marco van Basten, Ronaldo, Michel Platini, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Kevin Keegan, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff and Alfredo Di Stefano.
It had already been decided that the winner's announcement would be postponed until October 28, rather than being disclosed during the lavish London Palladium ceremony.
Even if they win, Messi and Ronaldo will not add to their personal trophy counts.
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A statement from Ballon d'Or officials said: "We know how much the public cares about the Ballon d'Or and how keen they are to be part of its history.
"The BOAT was born out of this desire to foster an international community centred around football's most prestigious individual award.
"Some of you have wondered whether this vote would lead to the creation of a new trophy. The answer is no.
"We have never announced the creation of an additional trophy. From the outset, the BOAT has been a public vote.
"It is not about creating a new official award, but about enabling fans to share their choice and make their voices heard."
Fans have until October 27 to cast their votes, after the voting opened at the start of the month.
