Who might win the Ballon D’or?
For many years, the Men’s Ballon D’or was the personal fiefdom of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Since 2008, either one or the other has generally won the coveted trophy – Messi a staggering eight times, Ronaldo on five occasions.
In fact, since 2008, only Luka Modric (2018) and Karim Benzema (2022) have lifted the most prestigious individual award in football outside of the legendary pair.
Messi is the current holder having won it for the eighth time last year. But in 2024, there are a number of different players in contention for the trophy.
Let’s now take a closer look at some of the contenders who are favourites with the bookmakers to be awarded this prestigious award.
Men’s Ballon D’or Contenders for 2024
Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid & Brazil)
The Brazilian winger is the hot favourite to win the trophy this year after playing a key role in Real Madrid’s Champions League success back at the end of last season.
Statistically, Vini Jr. doesn’t compare that favourably with some others in contention. He scored 21 goals in 37 league and Champions League appearances for Real Madrid in 2024, assisting with ten goals too.
However, it is his all-round game and influence on Real Madrid, as well as for the Brazil national team, that sees him the favourite at present.
Rodri (Manchester City & Spain)
Rodri was the best player in the Premier League last season for Manchester City and would be a deserving winner of the award. Manchester City never lost a game last season in which Rodri played and that stat is perhaps more an indication of his value to the team.
He played a key role for Spain in their European Championship success in the summer too, despite being forced off the field early in the final against England.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid & England)
Unfortunately, Jude Bellingham had a somewhat quieter end to the last season and start to the current season to make him anything more than an outside chance for this trophy. He had started his first season at Real Madrid in sensational form and still ended up as the top scorer for Los Merengues. However, despite a remarkable overhead kick goal against Slovakia, Bellingham didn’t have the best Euros and has started this season in a deeper-lying role in the Real Madrid midfield.
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid & Spain)
The veteran right back enjoyed a typically solid season for Spain, but it was his knack of coming up with key goals for club and country, while remaining rock solid defensively that have seen him catapulted into contention here.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain)
Without doubt, Yamal will win this coveted trophy in the future. The mercurial 17-year-old had a superb debut season for Barcelona and then shone for Spain at the European Championship as a 16-year old. He may be the surprise outsider to land in the top three in the voting.
Despite solid season scoring goals, Erling Haaland (Man City) and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) seem to be outside the reckoning according to the bookmakers.
Who would your pick be to win the 2024 Ballon D’Or?
