The 2024 Ballon d’Or is set to take place on Monday October 28 in France. The battle of who wears the crown is keen and fans are eager to learn about the best men’s player in the world. Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid is the favourite, although club team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are also in contention. Manchester City trio Erling Haaland, Rodri and Phil Foden lead the way of the Premier League contenders.
The Ballon d’Or will be awarded next week, and the competition to be crowned the best men’s player in the world is as hot as ever.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have 13 ‘Golden Balls’ between them, are both not shortlisted for the first time since 2003.
Messi, the Inter Miami forward, is the current Ballon d’Or holder having won his eighth award following his heroics during the 2022 World Cup final against France, in which he scored twice.
Ronaldo himself has won five honours, but holds the record for the most nominations, with 18 to his name.
However, the Portuguese striker, who now plays his club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has not made the shortlist for a second year in succession after missing out in 2023.
As such, that leaves the competition wide open without a clear and obvious favourite, as we head into the final week before the Ballon d’Or is awarded.
But who are the frontrunners for the most prestigious individual award in men’s football?
VINICIUS JR (REAL MADRID) – 4/9
The Real Madrid winger is the current favourite amongst the bookmakers to win a maiden Ballon d’Or after he scored the winning goal in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in last season’s UEFA Champions League final.
It was Vinicius’ 24th goal in 39 games in the 2023/24 season, and it landed the Brazilian his second Champions League winners’ medal after Madrid’s 2022 success.
In 2024/25, Vinicius has scored five goals in 10 La Liga matches, and laid on an assist for Federico Valverde’s opener as Madrid beat Atalanta 2-0 to lift the UEFA Super Cup earlier this term.
RODRI (MANCHESTER CITY) – 9/2
Fresh off a Premier League title and European Championships double, the Manchester City defensive midfielder is the Premier League’s strongest contender for the world’s biggest individual prize.
He was the lynchpin for City’s fourth league title in a row, and was the heartbeat of Spain’s midfield in their Euro 2024-winning campaign – winning the Player of the Tournament award – despite going off injured in the final against England.
His cruciate ligament and meniscus injury that he sustained against Arsenal earlier this season could, however, be a big blow to his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, with the former Atletico Madrid man ruled out for most – if not all – of this season.
JUDE BELLINGHAM (REAL MADRID) – 20/1
Last year was a glittering one for Jude Bellingham as he donned the famous white of Madrid for the first time.
He quickly became a fans’ favourite in the Spanish capital, playing in a far more advanced position to make the most of his goal-scoring threat. He notched 23 goals in 42 games for his new side after a big-money move from Borussia Dortmund.
The England midfielder went on to win the Golden Boy award, as well as being named the UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season and La Liga’s Player of the Season.
He also won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award, which he was presented by Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz.
Bellingham was the shining light in England’s run to the Euro 2024 final, with his last-minute overhead kick against Slovakia saving the Three Lions in the last 16 to force extra-time.
DANI CARVAJAL (REAL MADRID) – 28/1
Another of Spain’s Euros-winning squad, Carvajal scored the opening goal of the UEFA Champions League final in May, with his header setting Madrid on their way to a 15th European title.
The right-back has tallied 286 appearances for Los Blancos in 11 years with the club, and played 41 times for them last term.
However, like Rodri, Carvajal’s chances of claiming a first Ballon d’Or – and becoming the first defender to win it since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 – have been dashed after he also injured his cruciate ligaments, ruling him out for the campaign.
