Who Are the Favourites for the Ballon d’Or 2024?

The Ballon d’Or 2024 Race

The most prestigious individual accolade in professional football is set to be awarded in Paris on 28 October. Even though the club season has come to an end, the prize is still up for grabs for a great pool of players that will fight it out this summer at the Copa América and the Euros.

It has been a long time since so many candidates were in the running for the award this close to the ceremony. The Ballon d’Or has been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with the latter’s former Real Madrid teammates Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema also getting their hands on the trophy. These former winners all seem out of the picture for this season’s trophy, so we are set to have a new Ballon d’Or winner in what feels like the beginning of the post-Messi era.

We will rank the frontrunners for the award as of today, taking into account the criteria established by France Football, which are weighed in the following order: Individual Performance, Collective Performance, Behaviour and Fair Play.

5. Harry Kane

Harry Kane’s move from Tottenham to Bayern Munich last summer has positioned him in a way that allows him to fight for this award. He has undoubtedly been Bayern’s best player this season, scoring 36 goals and providing 8 assists in the Bundesliga, whilst being joint top scorer in the Champions League. Nonetheless, the trophies still seem to avoid him.

His chances at the Ballon D’Or have been significantly harmed by the German giants’ first trophyless season since 2011/12. As captain of the English national team, one of the favorites for the Euro title, Kane is very much still in contention but will need to outshine the next guy on the list and crown it with the trophy.

4. Jude Bellingham

The 20-year-old arrived at Real Madrid this season and played as if it was his 10th year at the club. Deployed in a sort of false nine with big contributions offensively, but also dropping back when needed, Bellingham earned the La Liga Player of the Season award. He also won La Liga, the Spanish Supercup and the UCL seal his spot in the list.

However, his performances seemed to drop off in the key stages of the Champions League, hence his unfavourable placement in the list as compared to his teammates. The Euros are his chance to clinch the award, as he currently leads England teammate Kane in the Ballon D’Or race via team trophies.

3. Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé’s final season at PSG felt like a repeat from past years. He was arguably the best player in the world at times with fantastic displays and statistics, together with a domestic double to finish off the year. Nevertheless, once again, he failed to impress in the UCL with a particularly disappointing performance in the semifinals against Borussia Dortmund.

The newly announced Real Madrid singing is the player on the list with the biggest upwards mobility potential. Captain and star of the French national team, Mbappé could surpass all his fellow contenders with a stellar performance at the Euros.

2. Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos, who announced he will retire after the Euros. The German midfielder finished his Real Madrid career with one of his best seasons at the club, winning La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and his sixth Champions League title, equalling Paco Gento’s individual record.

Besides the accolades, which he never lacked, Kroos this year was one of the most important players at Real. He led the team with the ball at his feet, putting in defensive displays we had not seen from him in a while. Kroos also consistently performed the best at the most difficult times, such as in ties against Manchester City and Bayern Munich – all of this earning Kroos a place on the podium.

Germany has struggled in international tournaments recently but if the return of Kroos and the home crowd’s support can lead them back to glory at the Euros, the midfielder will be at the top of the list and possibly become the first retired player ever to win the Ballon d’Or.

1. Vinícius Júnior

Vinícius Júnior currently stands as the favourite for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. The 23-year-old Brazilian was one of the best players at Real Madrid this season and undoubtedly the most influential on the road to a 15th Champions League trophy. At the most crucial times, the team relied on him and he never failed to deliver, finishing with the most goal involvements of any player in the UCL.

As it stands, the other names on the list need to triumph at the Euros to gain the favourite tag, while Vinícius will be the only contender playing the Copa América. Climbing to the South American throne would cement the 23-year-old’s favourite status.