Who Will Win The Prestigious Ballon d’Or 2024?
With the Ballon d’Or 2024 award ceremony months away, many questions have been asked regarding the elite player to win perhaps the highest individual prize in football. Since time immemorial, this golden trophy has symbolized the pinnacle of footballing excellence, crowning the year’s sterling performer on the global stage.
With the stiff competition from generational talent and one that is on the rise alike, predicting the winner only gets tougher. In this article, you’ll look through the main contenders for soccer’s supreme accolade—talking about their on-field achievements, success in terms of their teams, and impact on the beautiful game for this calendar year.
A Look Back at Past Ballon d’Or Winners
Thinking of the possible Ballon d’Or 2024 winners, one could not help but look back at the great legacy this highly famous award had left. Since 1956, Ballon d’Or has been rewarding soccer performers at their finest moment. Having become one of the most highly regarded and highly valued personal awards in soccer, let’s take a run down memory lane on the most unforgettable winners and how they did it.
The Early Years of the Ballon d’Or
In the early life of the award, it was dominated by European players. You may remember legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano and Johan Cruyff, who set the benchmark of excellence on the pitch. These trailblazers did not just display individual brilliance; they also led their teams to unprecedented success, capturing the very essence of Ballon d’Or.
The Modern Era of the Ballon d’Or
In the process, Ballon d’Or globalization went on par with that of soccer. In the winners during the 1990s and 2000s, one could see a wide spectrum of nationalities and styles. Among them are those unforgettable ones like Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo Nazário – athletes who stunned everybody with their incredible abilities and game-changing performances.
The Messi-Ronaldo Duopoly
Hardly any other era defines Ballon d’Or history more so than the one ruled by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Between 2008 and the end of 2021, the two greats bagged 12 awards amongst themselves, with record seven to Messi. This perennial excellence and rivalry certainly took the Ballon d’Or to the next level of prestige.
Recent Developments
You have seen new dynamics taking place in Ballon d’Or over the years. Fresh contenders ready to topple the established order and shatter the predictability of the selection process. A couple of players really broke the ranks to prove whether it’s a blur of individual brilliance or team accomplishments that really made the key to the highest prize in football.
As we count down to Ballon d’Or 2024, it is worth mentioning that each winner is introduced to an exclusive fraternity of the most talented footballers. The history of the award is rich with evidence of changes in the beautiful game and an everlasting quest for excellence.
Will it be Messi or Ronaldo winning Ballon d’Or 2024?
The great challenge behind guessing who is going to win the Ballon d’Or 2024 is just that it has mostly been dominated by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo; since 2008, Ronaldo has won it five times, Messi eight times. Over the past 15 years, one of these two legends has been awarded the Ballon d’Or in 13 instances.
It is highly improbable that either of them will emerge victorious this year. Ronaldo’s poor Euros, where he didn’t find the net in any of Portugal’s three matches, pours cold water on the dream. Messi does have a glimmer of hope cut out for him, though. In this current system of voting, 100 journalists from the 100 countries with the highest rank in FIFA’s list have a list of 30 players handed to them by France Football. They are then supposed to select their top five, following which the points are awarded as follows: six for first place, four for second, three for third, two for fourth, and one for fifth. A Ballon D’or winner for that particular year will then be declared for the player accumulating the most points.
Messi will unsurprisingly be the main contender this year, being the most popular, and especially so coming after Argentina’s win in Copa America. Back-to-back wins for Argentina in the continental competition, coming either side of a World Cup triumph, only adds to Messi’s prospects of finally clinching the award.
Top Contenders: Who Will Be the Frontrunners for Ballon d’Or 2024?
In the light of the Ballon d’Or 2024, there are some top-class players who stand a little apart and are likely to be on the very forefront of this highly coveted award. Let’s look at some of the leading men who will most likely contest for the highest single honor in football.
Established Superstars
Over the course of time, the beautiful game discussion never exists without the mention of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. These two wonders never stopped turning out jaw-dropping displays for their respective clubs and national teams. Haaland’s goal-scoring ability and Mbappé’s electric speed coupled with skill make both of them strong contenders for the Ballon d’Or 2024.
There can also not be a discounting of veteran players in Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah. Their consistent class and ability to influence games at the highest level makes them year-on-year contenders.
We also have the brazilian and RealMadrid Star, Vinicious Junior and Manchester City’s Rodrigo Hernández Cascante was born 22 June 1996, known as Rodri or Rodrigo, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente billed Rodri as the best player in the world after their UEFA EURO 2024 triumph and said maybe he should be handed his Ballon d’Or 2024 right now.
Brilliant international week epitomizes eight trophy, four defeats from 28-year-old finally having the most incredible 18 months of his life — Rodri for Manchester City.
He has accumulated numerous titles to his name, including the European Championship, Champions League, Premier League—twice—the FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, European Super Cup, and Nations League. In addition, Rodri scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final and became the player of the tournament at EURO 2024.
Rising Stars
Watch out for Jude Bellingham and Pedri as the new talents to bank on. These midfield maestros have already shown maturity way above their years to make a defining impact in the next few seasons. Major tournaments and European competitions will define Ballon d’Or Ballon d’Or prospects.
Players from Spain, Argentina, or probably from Colombia and England are most likely to gain the major votes as their teams’ players will be fresh from performing in the upcoming Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024 competitions. If a standout player from Spain or Argentina happens to be in the Real Madrid setup, he is going to be among the top contenders.
No Argentinian players feature in Real Madrid, while a few members of Spain’s Euro-winning team belong to Madrid. All these factors make these players receive some votes despite little playing time. There is an outside chance that Dani Carvajal may even win the Ballon d’Or after his crucial performances for Real Madrid and Spain.
Lautaro Martínez had an excellent season, but with not so many starts for Argentina and an early exit of Inter Milan from the Champions League, he will struggle in the Ballon d’Or race. He, however, is likely to find his way into the top 10.
The top three to win this award, however, are Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodri. Vinícius was the obvious favorite after he won with Real Madrid, but his suspension from the Copa America somewhat dented his chances.
Jude Bellingham was the lad at the start of the second half of last season. He looked a player who could score with every touch. Then, as the season progressed, he became quite terrible in the second half and did not perform well in the Euros. The general sentiment floating around Bellingham just seems to be pretty negative at the moment. On the contrary, England did make it through to the final, and in that, Bellingham provided an assist for the equalizing goal and also scored an injury-time bicycle kick to keep England’s hopes alive in the round of 16.
Defensive Dynamos
While the Ballon d’Or is more dominated by attackers, great defenders, like Virgil van Dijk and Rúben Dias, might make a breakthrough in this case. Their ability to organize defenses and make their team’s case for success could go a long way in attracting voters in their favor.
X-Factor Candidates
Dark horse contenders should not be ruled out either. Someone like Bruno Fernandes or Phil Foden could have breakthrough years that thrust them into contention for the Ballon d’Or. Meanwhile, performances at bigger international competitions, most notably UEFA Euro 2024, might tip the balance.
Looking at the field of potential winners, just remember: more often than not, the Ballon d’Or has a clear general tendency to reward such players who perform not only individually great but also win significant trophies with their teams. Keep an eye on personal stats and team achievement as the season unwraps, and see who will take this highly thought-of award in 2024.
Dark Horse Candidates in the Ballon d’Or 2024 Race
As you look ahead to Ballon d’Or 2024, a lot of people would be keeping an eye not only on usual suspects but also dark horses that might give the shock factor. Indeed, established stars hog the limelight in this event; however, some up-and-coming stars are primed and ready to strike at the world stage and probably challenge for football’s most paramount individual award.
Rising Stars from Emerging Leagues
The real talents coming out from the non-powerhouse leagues will be your target. These days, top clubs and national teams are more and more likely to consider players playing in Portugal, the Netherlands, or even MLS. They normally bring some different views and playing styles which charm voters and fans alike.
Late Bloomers Making Their Mark
Not to mention those players who really hit their stride a bit later in their careers, some of these pros who mix years of experience with finding peak form for the first time ever, which in itself is a pretty potent mixture. To a lot of people, this would swing opinion in their favor.
Innovators of Tactics
In the ever-changing world of football, players who can adapt and thrive in new tactical systems to play a difference. Be aware of any who excel within niche roles or have reinvented the traditional positions. The ability for game influence in a new way can easily make them find favor with astute Ballon d’Or voters.
Tournament Heroes
Also, watch out for players who do well in big tournaments—with the upcoming UEFA Euro and Copa America, there may well be a player or two that really stamps their mark. A fine showing at a major tournament can suddenly propel a player from relative obscurity onto the global scene and sometimes proves to be the difference in winning a Ballon d’Or.
Defensive Dynamos
While attackers tend to dominate the Ballon d’or talk most of the time, there are times when really great defenders and goalkeepers may break into the equation. Start by looking at defenders who, apart from excelling at the heart of defense, can create a huge impact when joining attacks. On the other hand, goalkeepers who constantly turn in match-winning performances could enter the fray.
Having these dark horses at your fingertips will help you to be fully prepared against any surprises in the Ballon d’Or 2024 race. Anything happens in football; probably the next big thing may emerge as today’s unsung hero.
What It Takes to Win the Coveted Ballon d’Or 2024
Second, to win the Ballon d’Or one requires an extraordinary mixture of skill and consistency. If winning the Ballon d’Or involves performance, then that would require different performances in different areas throughout the year.
You will have to maintain high performance throughout all competitions. In essence, this means at your best in your domestic league, various cup competitions, and, of course, international games. You will just not be good for one or two games; the consistency is going to be the key—you have to be good every week.
Trophy Haul
Whereas individual brilliance is key, often what sways the Ballon d’Or voting is team success. Major trophies won with either club or country can boost your prospects. The UEFA Champions League, domestic league championships, or international tournaments like the World Cup or continental cups propel this case effectively.
Statistical Dominance
You need to come up with some great statistics in relation to your performance. This usually translates to a lot of goals and a decent number of assists for the attacking players. For defenders and goalkeepers, the statistics would most probably be based on clean sheets, while for others, it could be through tackles or saves. Midfielders usually have to perform on multiple counts, such as in goals, assists, and key passes.
Impact in Big Moments
You should be a game-changer, more so in high-stakes matches. Score vital goals, make match-winning saves, or provide decisive assists in important fixtures, and you will very likely sway the minds of many voters. In the consideration of the Ballon d’Or ballot, it is quite important that you can rise to the occasion when matters reach fever pitch at an event.
Media Presence and Public Image
Although indirectly connected with field performance, your public image and media presence can influence voting. Good interaction with fans, sportsmanship, and philanthropy enhance your reputation bar. In addition, simply playing for a famous and influential club or featuring in an internationally broadcast league enhances your exposure.
Versatility and Innovation
Show versatility in playing style or innovate your role to be able to stand out. Such distinctions will capture the attention and admiration of the voters, whether it is playing multiple positions, developing a unique skill, or revolutionizing how people think of playing your position.
