The winner will be revealed in Paris on Monday, October 28. So, which of football's biggest stars are genuine contenders, and who are just pretenders?
After a season where Lionel Messi finally clinched the World Cup and secured his eighth Ballon d'Or in October 2023, the football world has shifted its focus. As we approach the announcement of the 2024 winner, the debate heats up.
The past season was fiercely competitive. In addition to the usual domestic challenges, many of the world's top players participated in major international tournaments like the European Championship and Copa America.
With a year marked by Messi's triumph with Argentina and Erling Haaland's outstanding performance for Manchester City, the question arises: how will these international competitions influence the 2024 Ballon d'Or race? Furthermore, could we see a historic win from a player based outside Europe, as top talent increasingly moves to emerging leagues around the globe?
In 2023-24: 13 goals, 7 assists. Won Euro 2024 and DFL-Supercup.
Dani Olmo only made it into Spain's starting lineup at Euro 2024 in the semi-finals, but he proved crucial to La Roja's success in Germany. He scored three goals and provided two assists during the tournament, sharing the Golden Boot. His most defining moment came when he cleared Marc Guehi's header off the line in the final's closing moments.
Olmo's standout performances followed a mixed season at RB Leipzig. Although he began the campaign with a hat-trick in the DFL-Supercup final, his season was marred by injuries, limiting his appearances. Nevertheless, his exceptional showing at the Euros earned him a lucrative transfer to Barcelona, offering him a chance to elevate his career in the years ahead.
14. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
In 2023-24: 27 clean sheets. Won Copa America.
Ballon d'Or voters often highlight top goalkeepers, and Emiliano Martinez remains a leading candidate after another standout season. The Argentina No.1 played a crucial role in Aston Villa's rise to the Premier League’s top four, ensuring a return to Champions League football for the first time in a decade.
However, Martinez reserved his most impressive performances for the international stage. He conceded only once in six matches as Argentina won the Copa America—his third major trophy since his international debut in 2021. His standout moment came in the quarter-final against Ecuador, where he demonstrated his penalty-saving prowess by stopping two spot-kicks in the shootout.
.jfif)
13. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
In 2023-24: 45 goals, 6 assists. Won Premier League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
Despite an exceptional season in 2023, Erling Haaland fell just short of winning the Ballon d'Or. Could he finally secure the award this time? It seems unlikely, as his impressive goal tally was marred by a few disappointing performances in 2024. Although he clinched the Premier League Golden Boot and secured a league title, an early exit from the Champions League could hurt his chances.
Haaland's challenge is compounded by the fact that Norway did not qualify for Euro 2024. With other top contenders shining in the summer tournament, Haaland's achievements may be overshadowed, potentially affecting his final standing in the Ballon d'Or rankings.
12. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
In 2023-24: 10 goals, 18 assists. Won Euro 2024.
While Barcelona faced a trophy-less season and off-field controversies, the rise of teenager Lamine Yamal has sparked optimism for the future. The winger dazzled in La Liga, breaking records and establishing himself as a potential generational talent from La Masia.
Yamal’s performances for Spain at Euro 2024 further elevated his profile. He was named Young Player of the Tournament, leading with four assists and scoring a memorable goal in Spain’s semi-final victory over France. His impact has solidified his reputation as one of football's brightest emerging stars.
11. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
In 2023-24: 21 goals, 21 assists. Won Bundesliga & DFB-Pokal.
Bayer Leverkusen enjoyed a historic season, remaining unbeaten in 52 domestic matches and securing their first-ever Bundesliga title with a perfect campaign, followed by a DFB-Pokal victory. However, they fell short in the Europa League, losing to Atalanta in the final.
Despite this setback, Ballon d'Or voters will likely recognize the key contributions of Xabi Alonso’s standout players. Florian Wirtz was exceptional, capping off his season with a hat-trick against Werder Bremen that clinched the title. Since recovering from a serious knee injury, Wirtz's form has been outstanding, positioning him for a potential £100-million-plus transfer in the coming year.
He concluded his season with impactful performances in Euro 2024, scoring goals that framed Germany's campaign. Although he lost his place in the lineup during the knockout stages, Wirtz's overall contributions underscore his status as a top Ballon d'Or contender.
.jfif)
10. Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
In 2023-24: 11 goals, 25 assists. Won Euro 2024 & Copa del Rey.
Nico Williams' standout performances in 2023-24 may have flown under the radar outside Spain, but the Athletic Club winger emerged as one of La Liga's most dynamic attacking forces. He played a crucial role in winning the Copa del Rey, leading Athletic Club to their first trophy in Bilbao in 40 years.
Williams carried his exceptional form into Euro 2024, becoming one of the most exciting players in Spain's impressive squad. His highlight was scoring a superb opening goal in the final. While he did not secure a major transfer move, his stellar season is likely to secure him a place close to the top 10 in the Ballon d'Or rankings.
9. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
In 2023-24: 28 goals, 12 assists. Won Premier League, Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.
With Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland sidelined for parts of the season, Phil Foden stepped up magnificently for Manchester City, delivering the best campaign of his distinguished career. He netted two Premier League hat-tricks and scored a crucial brace on the final day to secure a fourth consecutive domestic title for Pep Guardiola’s team. Although his brilliant goal at Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid was overshadowed by City’s penalty shootout exit from the Champions League in the quarter-finals, his performances were notable.
Unfortunately, Foden’s form did not translate to Euro 2024. His difficulties in making an impact for England persisted, despite the Three Lions reaching the final. These struggles likely diminished his chances of making a serious Ballon d'Or push.
8. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
In 2023-24: 52 goals, 14 assists.
Harry Kane's transfer to Bayern Munich was intended to finally bring him a major trophy, but the season ended without silverware for the Bavarians. They lost the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen and were knocked out by Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
Despite an exceptional individual season, where Kane scored at a record-breaking pace and averaged over a goal per game in the league, his efforts took a toll. The England captain appeared fatigued at Euro 2024, despite sharing the Golden Boot with three goals.
7. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
In 2023-24: 52 goals, 21 assists. Won Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophée des Champions.
This year marked the end of an era, as Kylian Mbappé’s final Ballon d'Or campaign as a Paris Saint-Germain player concluded with his long-anticipated move to Real Madrid being finalized in July. Mbappé’s goal-scoring prowess secured a third consecutive Ligue 1 title for PSG, but his quest for European glory was thwarted by a Champions League semi-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Mbappé’s summer was also marked by disappointment at Euro 2024, where he struggled with a broken nose and faced criticism over Didier Deschamps’ tactics. France's underwhelming performance in the tournament saw them fall short in the semi-finals, adding to Mbappé’s frustrations.
6. Toni Kroos (retired)
In 2023-24: 1 goal, 12 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de España.
At 34, Toni Kroos enjoyed a vintage season with Real Madrid, marking his final campaign before his surprising retirement. His stellar performances, particularly in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, drew significant attention and highlighted his enduring quality.
Kroos played a crucial role in Real Madrid's success, providing the assist for the opening goal in their Champions League final victory, complementing their domestic title win. He was also lured out of international retirement by Julian Nagelsmann, delivering impressive performances at Euro 2024. However, Germany’s quarter-final exit signaled the end of Kroos' illustrious career.
5. Lautaro MartÃnez (Inter)
In 2023-24: 35 goals, 8 assists. Won Copa America, Serie A & Supercoppa Italiana.
Lautaro MartÃnez has often been criticized for his performances in crucial matches, and it seemed that narrative might persist when his missed penalty in the Champions League shootout led to Inter's exit in the Round of 16 against Atlético Madrid.
Despite this setback, MartÃnez enjoyed a remarkable season. He dominated Serie A, leading Inter to the Scudetto, and made a significant impact on the international stage. At the Copa America, he won the Golden Boot with five goals, including the decisive extra-time winner in the final, helping Argentina retain their title and proving his worth in major tournaments.
4. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
In 2023-24: 7 goals, 8 assists, 21 clean sheets. Won Euro 2024, Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de España.
Dani Carvajal was a key yet often overlooked contributor to Real Madrid's stellar season, making significant impacts with crucial goals and assists while solidifying the right side of the defense. His influence was most evident in the Champions League final, where he scored the opening goal and helped secure a 15th European Cup for Los Blancos.
Carvajal carried his exceptional form into the international arena, scoring early in Euro 2024 and providing a commanding presence throughout Spain's journey to the final. His impressive trophy collection this year is likely to boost his standing in the Ballon d'Or rankings, reflecting his pivotal role and memorable performances over the past 12 months.
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
In 2023-24: 27 goals, 17 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de España.
Jude Bellingham was arguably the world’s best player during the first half of the 2023-24 season, adapting to Real Madrid with a level of impact not seen since Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival. He not only scored frequently but also delivered crucial goals.
Although injuries and suspensions slightly dimmed his brilliance in early 2024, Bellingham reignited his Ballon d'Or aspirations with a standout performance in knocking Manchester City out of the Champions League and scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner in El Clásico.
He also made key contributions for England at Euro 2024, including a vital overhead kick against Slovakia to keep their tournament hopes alive in the Round of 16. Despite England's defeat to Spain in the final, which may have dashed his hopes for the Golden Ball, Bellingham's exceptional season will likely earn him a place on the podium.
2. Rodri (Manchester City)
In 2023-24: 12 goals, 15 assists. Won Euro 2024, Premier League, Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.
Rodri’s influence at Manchester City was unmistakable throughout the 2023-24 season, highlighted by the team’s struggles in the Premier League during his absence. His presence was crucial, and his impact was so profound that City lost their first three league games of the season without him.
Regarded as the world’s premier defensive midfielder, Rodri has also become known for delivering key goals and assists, including the decisive strike that secured the Premier League title for City. His ability to influence both ends of the pitch has garnered significant attention from fans and Ballon d'Or voters alike.
Despite being substituted at halftime in the Euro 2024 final, Rodri’s performances leading up to that game earned him the Player of the Tournament award. This accolade could boost his Ballon d'Or chances, although he faces stiff competition.
1. VinÃcius Jr (Real Madrid)
In 2023-24: 26 goals, 12 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de España.
VinÃcius Jr faced a slow start to the season due to injury, which was unexpected following Karim Benzema's departure from Real Madrid. However, once he regained full fitness, he was nothing short of exceptional. He scored a hat-trick in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona and was a key player in securing La Liga for Carlo Ancelotti's side. His standout performances continued in the Champions League, where he excelled in both legs of the semi-final against Bayern Munich and scored the second goal in Real Madrid's final win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Despite this impressive season, VinÃcius' summer was less successful. He scored twice in the Copa America group stages but was suspended for Brazil's quarter-final against Uruguay, watching as his team was eliminated on penalties. Whether this setback will impact his Ballon d'Or bid remains to be seen, but he remains a strong favorite for the Golden Ball as the announcement approaches on October 28.
Post a Comment