Ballon d’Or 2024: Who Will Win? From Mbappe To Jude Bellingham Here Are The Favourites. Every year the France Football magazine presents the ‘Ballon d’Or’ to the best footballers in the world. Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi won the prestigious trophy for a record eight times. This time around, thanks to Copa America 2024, the football superstar will be one nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Here’s a list of 10 footballers that have a shot at Ballon d’Or:
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
He plays right winger for Arsenal and is regarded as one of the best wingers in the world. However, he is underrated and speaks with his skills on field. Bukayo Saka, 22, helped England score against Serbia in the recent UEFA EURO 2024 match assisting Jude Bellingham. Saka’s name has been added to the elite list given his 78 goal contributions across his Premier League career.
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
He plays for Manchester City and his home national team Argentina as a forward. Alvarez, 24, played for Argentina in 2018 and 2021 Copa America. He rose as the South American Footballer of the Year in 2021 and won the continental treble in his debut game for Manchester City in the 2022-23 season.
Alvarez helped Manchester City qualify for the finals in the Champions League and then win the final against Chelsea.
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
In 2023, Martinez bagged the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris with his saves for Premier League club Aston Villa and his home team Argentina. He is likely to win it again for the excellent saves he made for Argentina at the recent Copa America 2024 tournament.
Martinez, 31, also won the Golden Glove for Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
He plays as a winger for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team. Williams, 22, has made his mark as an excellent soccer player. In the 2022-23 La Liga campaign, he was named player of the match. Williams is regarded for creating scoring chances and paving the way forward for the team. In the recent UEFA EURO 2024 tournament Williams was named man of the match in Spain vs. Italy 1-0 victory.
Also Read: Spain Claims Victory In UEFA EURO 2024 Final, Defeats England 2-1
The 25-year-old is a celebrated French footballer. He captained team France into EURO 2024. Kylian Mbappe is regarded as one of the best soccer players in the world. He is lauded for his dribbling, speed and scoring abilities.
In 2017, Mbappe emerged as the youngest French player to score at a World Cup, and second teenager to score in a World Cup final.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
He plays midfielder for La Liga Club Real Madrid and national team England. Jude Bellingham, 21, is a superstar footballer in the making. He debuted at the age of 16 with Birmingham City and signed up for Real Madrid in 2023. Bellingham emerged as the club’s top league scorer, and helped the team win the league title. He splashed headlines around the world with his overhead kick goal against Slovakia in the EURO 2024 tournament.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Vinicius Junior is from Brazil and plays as a forward for Real Madrid. He is considered amongst the best footballers in the world for his pace and dribbling skills. Vinicious Jr signed a £38 million contract with Real Madrid in 2017, and debuted for the La Liga club in the 2018-19 season just after his 18th birthday.
Coming from a very humble background, he has made a name for himself as a celebrated footballer.
Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)
He plays for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig as an attacking midfielder or left winger. Olmo, 26, also plays for his national team Spain and recently helped the team claim the European Championship title. He made his Champions League debut in September 2019 and moved on to RB Leipzig in January 2020.
Also Read: Copa America 2024 Final: Argentina Beats Colombia 1-0 To Lift Record 16th Title
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
He plays for Argentina as well as Serie A club Inter Milan. Lautaro Martinez is applauded as one of the best strikers in the world. He positions and finishes well. Martinez joined Inter Milan in 2018 and helped the team win two league titles.
He bagged the Serie A Most Valuable Player and emerged as the top scorer. Martinez, 26, has been playing for Argentina since his teenage years.
Rodri (Manchester City)
Rodri, 28, helped Spain clench the UEFA EURO 2024 title. He plays defensive midfielder and is regarded as one of the best soccer players in the world. Rodri is lauded for his versatility, accurate passing and tactical ability. He joined Manchester City in 2019 and helped the Premiere League club win four consecutive league titles in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 seasons.
