Frank Christian
The Ballon d’Or, recognized as the top individual accolade in world football, attracts significant attention annually as France Football announces the best player globally.
The selection process is often tumultuous and can lead to controversial outcomes, yet the victorious player experiences a substantial rise in their profile, especially considering that the winner is determined by worldwide journalists and football experts.
The award’s significance has been amplified by the recent era dominated by two football legends. Since 2008, outside of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, only two players have claimed the Ballon d’Or, showcasing a 15-year period where these two icons captured nearly every title.
This year, with Messi and Ronaldo absent from the nominations due to their participation in non-European leagues, the competition for the 2024 Ballon d’Or is set to be intense as future stars vie for this prestigious honor. The absence of these two legends opens opportunities for a new generation to emerge.
As the club season wraps up and with significant international tournaments on the horizon, The Sporting News outlines the top contenders for this coveted award, examining each player’s chances.
Potential Winners of the 2024 Ballon d’Or
Here are some of the main contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or in 2024. The Sporting News will continue to update this section leading up to the award ceremony.
Vinicius Jr — Forward, Real Madrid
The Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. has elevated his status at Real Madrid over the years, shining brighter with each passing season. Despite facing racial abuse in Spain, he consistently delivers outstanding performances.
As the primary attacking force for the renowned Real Madrid team, Vinicius scored his 24th goal of the season in the Champions League final, securing a victory against Borussia Dortmund, showcasing his talent on the biggest stage.
However, Vinicius still needs to leave his mark internationally, having only netted five goals in 34 appearances for Brazil. The team’s recent exit from the Copa America could affect his Ballon d’Or aspirations.
Jude Bellingham — Midfield, Real Madrid
At just 20 years old, Jude Bellingham has made an impressive start at Real Madrid, showing promise akin to first-year legends like Cristiano Ronaldo. Notably, he secured a Champions League title in his debut season.
Initially positioned as a deeper midfielder, Bellingham’s deployment as a No. 10 has resulted in remarkable success, scoring 23 goals and notching 13 assists this season. His contributions were pivotal during Euro 2024, where he helped keep England in the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe — Forward, PSG
Often cited as the current best player in the world, Kylian Mbappe has substantial public support for future Ballon d’Or races. However, his impact at PSG during a challenging season draws mixed reviews.
Despite scoring 44 club goals, many did not come in crucial matches, and he struggled during the Champions League, where PSG failed to impress. A strong performance at the Euros was mandatory for reaffirming his Ballon d’Or candidacy, but France’s semifinal exit and his underwhelming display may hinder his prospects.
Harry Kane — Forward, Bayern Munich
Harry Kane finished as the top scorer in Europe’s top leagues, netting 44 goals in his inaugural season with Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, like Mbappe, his achievements were overshadowed by the absence of any trophies.
Kane’s goal-scoring prowess was notable, but his contributions ended up falling short in key matches, and the English forward shared the Golden Boot at Euro 2024. Competing against other stars like Jude Bellingham, gaining the award could be a tall order for Kane.
Florian Wirtz — Midfield, Bayer Leverkusen
Florian Wirtz enjoyed a standout campaign at Bayer Leverkusen, guiding his team toward a memorable undefeated season. Under coach Xabi Alonso, he played a vital role, and his impressive tally of 18 goals and 20 assists put him in the spotlight.
Wirtz is positioned to lead Germany at the upcoming European Championship, enhancing his visibility. However, he may face challenges in gaining sufficient recognition for the Ballon d’Or, particularly after Leverkusen’s Europa League final defeat.
Phil Foden — Midfield/Forward, Man City
Phil Foden played a crucial role in Manchester City’s remarkable achievement of securing a fourth consecutive Premier League title, a historic feat for the club.
FWA Footballer of the Year Highlights
In an impressive season, a certain player amassed 27 goals and 12 assists while being recognized as the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year. Despite this achievement, there are challenges that impact his recognition.
One significant hurdle is the performance of his club, Manchester City. While they secured the league title with a strong finish, their lower-than-expected outcomes in the Champions League and domestic cup competitions have cast a shadow, especially following their treble victory last season. This comparison can influence public perception unfairly.
Moreover, he competes against talented teammates. Erling Haaland, despite a less stellar season, clinched the Premier League’s Golden Boot, and players like Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne consistently draw attention for their exceptional performances. This scenario positions City to potentially be more focused on Foden in the future.
Lionel Messi — Inter Miami Forward
Regarded as the most decorated player in the history of the Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi has won this prestigious award eight times, making him a standout figure at age 36. He joined Inter Miami and continues to make an impact, battling for the top spots in goals and assists, even while managing various injury troubles.
However, Messi’s chances for this year’s award appear dim. He was not included among the 30 nominees, which affects his opportunity despite notable performances. The decision to expand the award’s eligibility to global players in 2007 hasn’t fully erased the stigma surrounding leagues like MLS when compared to European leagues.
Messi, who previously became the first non-European club player to win the award last year, saw his achievements largely stem from earlier events, including the 2022 World Cup victory prior to joining Inter Miami. Though he has the potential to claim future awards while playing outside Europe, he will not be a contender this year.
Predictions for the Men’s Ballon d’Or 2024
The upcoming Ballon d’Or will likely emphasize international performances, with the Euro 2024 and Copa America set to influence the selection significantly. Recent struggles faced by Vinicius at Copa America and Mbappe’s transition to Real Madrid make their candidacies less compelling.
Currently, England is poised for success in the Euros, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham both making strong contributions. Ultimately, Jude Bellingham‘s club season positions him as a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or, despite the disappointments in the Euros final.
Most likely winner: Jude Bellingham is favored to take the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
When Will the 2024 Ballon d’Or Take Place?
The nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or were revealed by France Football on September 4. The awards ceremony will occur on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
The event is set to begin at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET).
Top Ballon d’Or Winners: Messi at the Forefront
Here’s a rundown of players who have achieved multiple Ballon d’Or awards. Notably, the award’s eligibility rules expanded over the years, moving from only European players in the early years to a wider global inclusion.
| Player | Nation | Number of Awards | Winning Years |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 | 2009, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’19, ’21, ’23 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 5 | 2008, ’13, ’14, ’16, ’17 |
| Michel Platini | France | 3 | 1983, ’84, ’85 |
| Johan Cruyff | Netherlands | 3 | 1971, ’73, ’74 |
| Marco van Basten | Netherlands | 3 | 1988, ’89, ’92 |
| Franz Beckenbauer | Germany | 2 | 1972, ’76 |
| Alfredo Di Stefano | Spain | 2 | 1957, ’59 |
| Kevin Keegan | England | 2 | 1978, ’79 |
| Ronaldo Nazario | Brazil | 2 | 1997, ’02 |
| Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | Germany | 2 | 1989, ’81 |
