TOP 5 Nominees For Ballon d'or 2024
1. Rodri (Manchester City)
While players in his role feel less likely to win the Ballon d'Or, Rodri was so remarkably consistent in 2023/24 that he has to be among the obvious candidates.
In a career-best 2022/23 campaign, the defensive midfielder was the MVP for the best football team in the world. He is excellent defensively, a great passer of the ball and pops up with some very important goals.
The Spaniard scored City's third against West Ham on the final day to seal the Premier League title, coming up clutch for Spain at Euro 2024, too.
The midfielder was essential to La Roja's success as he built a formidable partnership with Fabian Ruiz and was rightly awarded the Player of the Tournament award as Spain grabbed the trophy.
Like his compatriot Carvajal, an ACL injury means that he certainly won't be winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
2. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
There are times when watching Vinicius Junior race down the left flank, drift past three players effortlessly, before squaring expertly to a teammate, where fans must think "Yep, this guy is the best footballer in the world."
Those times have been getting ever-more frequent over the last few seasons and, although Bellingham threatened to steal the limelight in 2023/24, Vinicius reached new heights having returned from injury in the new year.
The Brazilian continues to deliver in the big moments for Madrid, especially in the Champions League. Vinicius netted a brace at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of their semi-final against Bayern Munich and then produced the clinching strike in the final itself.
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Jude Bellingham's start to life at Real Madrid has been out of this world, transforming the Englishman from 'wonderkid' to 'superstar' status in the blink of an eye.
Despite all the attention, Bellingham doesn't appear to be fazed by anything. Quite the contrary, he appears to thrive in the pressure-cooker environment of the Santiago Bernabeu and delivered some memorable moments for England at Euro 2024.
Having won a couple of pieces of silverware, he should be a shoo-in for the Ballon d'Or.
4. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Not many would have put Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal among the favourites for the Ballon d'Or at the beginning of last season. In fact, even the Spaniard would have been unable to envisage just how incredible a year he would boast.
A constant at the back for the Spanish giants, Carvajal scored the crucial opening goal in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, winning the tournament for the sixth time in his career.
But he wasn't done there. The veteran was the starting right-back for Spain at Euro 2024 as well, helping La Roja to yet another major international trophy. His leadership was key within a fairly young side.
An ACL injury in 2024/25 means it's almost certainly now or never for the defender to win the most prestigious individual prize on offer.
5. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Surely it's only a matter of time before the best footballer of his generation wins the Ballon d'Or?
Kylian Mbappe has finished in the top ten in every year since 2017, enjoying a career-best third place finish in 2023, and is clearly a favourite of voters thanks to his performances in big games - he scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final and has well over 200 career goals to his name for PSG.
He endured a poor Euro 2024 campaign which might have scuppered his chances of claiming a first golden ball this year, but the move to Real Madrid should help his pursuit of individual glory in the future.
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