Ballon d’Or 2024 Schedule and Top Contenders for Men’s Player of the Year Award

The upcoming 2024 Ballon d’Or promises to be highly competitive. This prestigious award, presented by France Football, is an annual recognition of the world’s best male footballer.

Traditionally, football icons like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the accolade, with Messi clinching the award a record eight times.

Since 2008, only two players other than Messi and Ronaldo have won the Ballon d’Or, underscoring the duo’s dominance over the past 15 years.

With Messi and Ronaldo unlikely to vie for this year’s honor due to playing in lower-profile leagues outside Europe, the 2024 recipient stands a chance to establish themselves as the standout star of the upcoming era.

As we gear up for the 68th ceremony, fresh contenders are emerging, setting the stage for an exciting event. Here is what you need to know.

Ballon d’Or 2024 Date

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 28, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. This marks the 68th edition of this illustrious award, steeped in the tradition of honoring football excellence.

The official list of nominees will be revealed on September 4, 2024, sparking anticipation and discussions in the buildup to the grand event.

In a notable development, UEFA will co-host the Ballon d’Or gala alongside France Football this year. Furthermore, two new categories, Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Coach of the Year, will be introduced to acknowledge the pivotal role of coaches in their teams’ achievements.

The ceremony is set to commence at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET).

Top Contenders for Ballon d’Or 2024

The competition for the 2024 Ballon d’Or is intensifying, with multiple elite players staking their claim for the prestigious title.

Here are some of the front-runners for the men’s Ballon d’Or in 2024:

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

• In 2023/24: 51 goals, 14 assists.

Harry Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich aimed at securing major silverware. Despite his team’s trophyless season, Kane delivered an exceptional performance, averaging over a goal per game in the league. While his exertions showed during Euro 2024, Kane’s remarkable goal-scoring record keeps him in contention for the Ballon d’Or.

Rodri (Manchester City)

• In 2023/24: 12 goals, 15 assists. Won Premier League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.

Rodri has been a linchpin for Manchester City as the premier defensive midfielder globally. His pivotal goals and assists, particularly the one sealing the Premier League triumph, have captured attention from fans and voters. Rodri’s leadership proved crucial for Spain in Euro 2024, guiding them to the final with standout displays, including a decisive goal against Georgia in the Round of 16.

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

• In 2023/24: 52 goals, 20 assists. Won Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophee des Champions.

Kylian Mbappe’s last season at Paris Saint-Germain was phenomenal, with his goals securing a third successive Ligue 1 title. Despite PSG’s Champions League exit in the semifinals and Mbappe’s struggles at Euro 2024 due to a broken nose, his overall performance positions him as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. His move to Real Madrid adds another intriguing dimension to his candidacy.

Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)

• In 2023/24: 26 goals, 12 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga, and Supercopa de Espana.

Vinicius Jr. overcame initial season setbacks to deliver a standout campaign for Real Madrid. His hat-trick in the Spanish Super Cup final and impactful displays in the Champions League, including a pivotal goal in the final, underscore his influence. However, his suspension during Copa America and Brazil’s subsequent exit could affect his prospects, opening opportunities for other contenders.

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

• In 2023/24: 27 goals, 16 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga, and Supercopa de Espana.

Jude Bellingham enjoyed a remarkable debut season at Real Madrid, contributing crucial goals and stellar performances. Despite a form dip due to injuries and suspensions, Bellingham bounced back with key contributions in the Champions League and El Clasico. His displays for England at Euro 2024, including a sensational overhead-kick goal against Slovakia, further cement his Ballon d’Or candidacy.

Ballon d’Or Selection Process

The Ballon d’Or recipient is determined through a rigorous voting system. Nominees are shortlisted based on their performances from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. A panel of journalists from the top 100 nations in the FIFA men’s rankings and the top 50 for women’s rankings cast their votes.

Each journalist nominates their top five players from the shortlist, assigning points as follows: six points for first place, four for second, three for third, two for fourth, and one for fifth. The player amassing the most points at the end of the process wins the Ballon d’Or.

In 2022, the voting criteria were revised to emphasize three primary factors:

1. Individual performance during the European season.
2. Team achievements.
3. Player conduct and sportsmanship.

Previous Ballon d’Or Laureates

Here is a compilation of players who have claimed the Ballon d’Or since its inception.

It is worth noting that the award was initially exclusive to European-born players until 1995 when this criterion changed, expanding eligibility to players contracted by European clubs. From 2007, candidates from any league worldwide can be nominated.

Player	Wins	Second Place	Third Place
Lionel Messi (Argentina)	8	5	1
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)	5	6	1
Michel Platini (France)	3		2
Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)	3		1
Marco van Basten (Netherlands)	3
Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)	2	2	1
Ronaldo (Brazil)	2	1	1
Alfredo Di Stefano (Spain)	2	1
Kevin Keegan (England)	2	1
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)	2	1
Luis Suarez (Spain)	1	2	1
Eusebio (Portugal)	1	2
Bobby Charlton (England)	1	2
Raymond Kopa (France)	1	1	2
Gerd Muller (West Germany)	1	1	2
Zinedine Zidane (France)	1	1	1
Gianni Rivera (Italy)	1	1
Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)	1	1
Lothar Matthaus (Germany)	1	1