By 90min | Created at 2024-10-29 21:33:04 | Updated at 2024-10-30 09:18:12
10 months ago
Lionel Messi's record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023 came as a surprise to absolutely nobody in the footballing world.
The legendary Argentine had led his country to the 2022 World Cup after all, where he arguably cemented his place as the greatest footballer to have ever played the game.
However, a new name will lift the Ballon d'Or trophy in 2024, with a host of players competing to win the accolade for the first time. With neither Messi nor longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo nominated (as well as active previous winners Luka Modric and Karim Benzema), stars around Europe will feel they have a good chance of claiming the individual prize.
The winner will be announced on 28 October but votes should purely be based off achievements between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024 - thus taking into account the summer feast of international tournament football. However, as with any individual award, the Ballon d'Or is often a popularity contest, too.
Here's 90min's favourites for the award.
30. Mats Hummels (Roma)
Hummels rolled back the years in the Champions League / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
Dias remains a towering presence for City / Matt McNulty/GettyImages
28. Artem Dovbyk (Roma)
Dovbyk won last season's Pichichi Trophy / Silvia Lore/GettyImages
Another fantastic year for Martinez / Omar Vega/GettyImages
26. Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Grimaldo played a key role in Leverkusen's title win / Pau Barrena/GettyImages
Lookman scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final / Michael Regan/GettyImages
24. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
Vitinha has rapidly improved in the last few years / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
Calhanoglu is a key figure for Inter / Marco Canoniero/GettyImages
22. William Saliba (Arsenal)
Saliba is one of the world's best defenders / Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/GettyImages
Palmer has been brilliant since joining Chelsea / David Rogers/GettyImages
20. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Arsenal's captain has been nominated / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Olmo was sensational at Euro 2024 / Lars Baron/GettyImages
18. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Rice has transformed Arsenal's midfield / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Xhaka had a terrific campaign with Bayer Leverkusen / TOBIAS SCHWARZ/GettyImages
16. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Valverde was a massive figure in Real Madrid's Champions League triumph / Nicolò Campo/GettyImages
Saka is one of England's finest prospects / Visionhaus/GettyImages
14. Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
Williams devastated defences at Euro 2024 / Richard Pelham/GettyImages
Carlo Ancelotti heavily relied upon Rudiger in 2023/24 / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
12. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland is a goal machine / PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages
Foden lifted his sixth Premier League title / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages
10. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Wirtz lifting the Bundesliga title / Mika Volkmann/GettyImages
Kane's trophy curse persists / Stuart Franklin/GettyImages
8. Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
Martinez starred for club and country in 2023/24 / Maddie Meyer/GettyImages
Kroos has retired after an exceptional career / Diego Souto/GettyImages
6. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Yamal enjoyed a wonderful Euro 2024 campaign / Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages
Mbappe joined Real Madrid in the summer / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages
4. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Carvajal has enjoyed an immense season / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages
Bellingham is a leading contender / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages
2. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Vinicius is a superstar / Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/GettyImages
Rodri would be a deserving winner of the Ballon d'Or / Dan Mullan/GettyImages
