The Ballon d'Or (the Golden Ball) is the most prestigious individual award for male football players. The award honors the male football player deemed to have performed the best over the previous year. It is a yearly football award that has been presented since 1956 by French news magazine France Football. In agreement with FIFA, it was merged, temporarily with FIFA World Player of the Year and called the FIFA Ballon d'Or, between 2010 and 2015. In deciding the nominees and overall winner of the Men's Ballon d'Or, one hundred (100) journalists from around the world, each representing a different country in the top-ranked FIFA nations, are given a 30-player shortlist and asked to choose five footballers in descending order of merit.
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After winning the World Cup with his country Argentina in Qatar, and the Ligue 1 title with the French side Paris Saint-Germain, the Balon D'or 2023 award went once again to Lionel Messi for a record eighth time. At the World Cup, he was named the tournament's best player after scoring 7 goals, one less than the golden boot winner at the same tournament, Kylian Mbappe. Messi had three assists, the joint-highest number at the tournament, and 21 key passes. He also recorded 13 shots on target, more than any other player in the competition. The diminutive maestro scored his first as a penalty at their shock loss versus Saudi Arabia, adding one versus Mexico and another against Australia. His fourth and fifth came against Netherlands and Croatia respectively before scoring twice at the nervy final against the defending champions, France.
The List of Candidates for the Ballon D'or in 2024
Every Balon D'or achievement is based on a player's performance from the previous year. This would (but, not always) include the league a player plays, players club performance and team achievement, national team performance and achievements, goals scored, players influence and importance on matches/team, etc. These factors cannot be overlooked in the selection of nominees for any Balon D'or.
Therefore, if we are going to list the candidates that we think will make the cut, and the one that will ultimately win the 2024 Ballon D'or, our rankings will be based on certain criteria. Hence, the basis upon which this list is compiled is the Players Current Form, Players Consistency over at least two Seasons, Players Potential to Improve, League Player is Playing, Player Stats [Goals, Assists, Minutes, etc].
In no particular order, here is a list of some of the top players who can potentially win the 2024 Ballon D'or award:
- Lionel Messi;
- Erling Haaland;
- Harry Kane;
- Cristiano Ronaldo;
- Kylian Mbappe;
- Morata;
- Vinicius Junior;
- Jude Bellingham;
- Rodri;
- Lautaro Martinez;
- Mohamed Salah;
- Phil Foden;
- Victor Osihemen;
- Ederson Santana de Moraes;
- Roberto Lewandowski
Now, the question is who will win the 2024 Ballon D'or? Follow as we carefully analyze and rank each player according to the criteria previously stated above. We will list the top ten best players in order ranking starting from the tenth to the first.
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In 2023-24: Seven goals, two assists.
Osimhen was ranked the eighth best male footballer in the world in October, 2023 at the Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris. Making him the first Nigerian to be named in the top ten of the BallonDor. With Napoli still in the Champions League
The Napoli striker led the Italian to the Serie A title in the 2022/2023 season — the club’s first in 33 years. The 24 year old Nigerian has been in fine form, leading his national team to the finals of the African Cup of Nations. It could be a long shot for Osihemen, but with Napoli still in the Champions League, you can't rule anything out.
9. Lautaro Martinez [Inter Milan, Italy]
In 2023-24: Seventeen goals, four assists.
Martinez has made a terrific start to the 2023/2024 season, so far, averaging 0.86 goals per game in the Italian Serie A. His Inter side current performances indicates that they are strong favourites for the Scudetto.
After the Nerazzurri reached the finals last year, this year, Martinez has also helped his team into the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds. The player will again also be involved for his national team, Argentina, as they mount a charge to win a third major tournament in succession, at the Copa America.
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In 2023-24: Four goals, six assists. Won Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.
This season, defending champions Manchester City have lost all three EPL matches where Rodri wasn't able to play. That's a testament to the importance of the player to a team that won the quartet of Champions League, FA Cup, Premier League and Super Cup last season.
Arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world on current form, the Spain international has an added spice of coming up with crucial goals. Most notably the solitary goal scored against Inter Milan in the Champions League final last season. Obviously, we can overlook him when asking who will win 2024 Ballon D'or.
7. Lionel Messi [Inter Miami, USA]
In 2023-24: Eleven goals, four assists. Won the Leagues Cup.
The more you overlook the Maestro, the more he comes up with surprises. Hence, you cannot underrate this Argentine. He is the first male footballer playing outside Europe to win the Ballon d'Or. He has won all there is to win as an individual player and also with club and country. However, in this Ballon D'or 2024 rankings list, the odds are visibly stacked against the current World Best Player.
Because the MLS season runs from February to December, Messi won't be able to win any significant domestic trophies during the Ballon D'or 2024 vote period. But, if his team can top the Eastern Conference midway next season and into the latter stages of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, then maybe guiding Argentina to another Copa America trophy, then it might just be deja vu.
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In 2023-24: Twenty-six goals, 13 assists.
After missing out on the 30-man shortlist for the first time since 2003, the five-time winner CR7 finds himself back in contention for the Ballon Dor race of 2024. Al-Nassr is the in-form team in Saudi Arabia, with Ronaldo showing his metal with goals and assists both in double figures.
His team could win both the Kings Cup and AFC Champions League this season. The Portuguese superstar could also lead his national team to Euro 2024 glory after a favourable group-stage draw. It could yet be another in the bag for the 39 year old.
5. Kylian Mbappe [PSG, France]
In 2023-24: Twenty-seven goals, eight assists.
It's been a long time coming for Kylian, hasn't it? Even though he's still just 25 years old, it does seem like Mbappe 'could've would've should've' had a BallonDor or a couple under his belt. Think so too? Away from the off field drama, the Frenchman is worth his salt.
His class is beginning to show once again on the pitch for PSG. The French champions were not convincing in the Champions League group stages, but they are still in it. More so, the striker will likely have to lead his national team to the Euros to finally get his hands on the ballon d'or 2024.
4. Mohamed Salah [Liverpool FC, England]
In 2023-24: Twenty goals, nine assists.
In 2023, despite his team's struggles, Mo Salah finished just outside the top ten Ballon d'Or voting. This season, the Egyptian King is red hot, showing no signs of weakness added to the Reds somewhat unexpected surge to the top of the PL summit, why won't his name appear around the question of who will win 2024 Ballon D'or.
With Reds being favourites for the Europa League and still in the hunt for three other cups, Salah's stock could still rise much more in the Ballon Dor race for 2024.
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2023-24: Twenty nine goals, nine assists.
Harry Kane has been shot deeper into the spotlight by his move to German Bundesliga. He can not only end the wait for a first trophy of his career, but has also been thumped into being a proper contender for football's biggest individual award.
Kane started off with a record-breaking more-than-a-goal-a-game average in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich. As long as he maintains this form through the season, and possibly lead a talent-laden Three Lions team to Euro 2024 glory, then who's to say how far he can go in this Ballon Dor race.
2. Erling Haaland [Manchester City, England]
In 2023-24: Twenty-two goals, five assists. Won the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
What more could the powerful striker have done to win the Ballon d'Or 2023? Tieing and then just coming up short against Messi. Advantage to him, he's got age and power on his side, the Norwegian remains relentless this season as he strives upwards in the Ballon Dor rankings.
Even with a few nibbles here and there, the injuries are not affecting his form for City, and there is no wavering. With his City side striding back into form, the only thing holding him back is missing the Euro 2024 after Norway failed to qualify.
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In 2023-24: Eighteen goals, eight assists.
It will be very hard to doubt Jude Bellingham as being the number contender for Ballon D'or 2024. The Englishman has owned his new environment at Real as is touted as being in the ilk of Cristiano Ronaldo. He has been a revelation, scoring consistently, and most importantly netting vital goals, as his double in the El Clasico win.
Bellingham is in the form of his life! With him on their side, the Three Lions of England will be very confident of getting their hands on a major trophy in the form of the European Championship. It's not over yet, but Jude Bellingham is the top man for now!
Ballon d'Or 2024 Odds
| Player Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Victor Osihemen | 25/1 |
| Lautaro Martinez | 20/1 |
| Rodri | 16/1 |
| Lionel Messi | 10/1 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 33/1 |
| Kylian Mbappe | 9/2 |
| Mohamed Salah | 25/1 |
| Harry Kane | 6/1 |
| Erling Haaland | 5/1 |
| Jude Bellingham | 4/1 |
Conclusion
In 2024, the Ballon D'or award is expected to be won by the Englishman, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. The player has been having an extraordinary season in Spain, and you can't deny his overall importance and impact for his club and country. There may be surprises, but few are expected especially with the current crop of Ballon D'or 2024 nominees. As the season proceeds and cones to an end, we'll get a clearer picture on what seems obvious.
It may be early days but the football world is on a countdown to the Ballon D'or 2024 date. So, when is the Ballon D'or 2024? It is going to be held on 28 October 2024, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France where the 2024 Ballon D'or winner will be announced. Just as in previous years, it will be organized by France Football magazine, and it will be the 68th in the history of the class award.
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