The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has been leaked ahead of the official ceremony, which is set to take place on October 28. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo no longer in the running, the competition for the prestigious award is more open than ever.
The likes of Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe are all in the running for the award. However, with the 2023-2024 season now wrapped up, two favorites have emerged: Rodri and Vinicius Jr.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who was a strong contender for the award, has suffered a serious knee injury in the Premier League draw with Arsenal. According to David Ornstein, Rodri is set to be ruled out for a significant period, and there are fears he may not return this season.
Vinicius Jr, who shone for Real Madrid in the Champions League, is now heavily tipped to lift the trophy. The MARCA cover on September 23 reads: “All roads lead to Gold for Vini Jr.” The report states that the Brazilian ‘already knows’ he’s won the award.
Men’s Ballon d’Or Award Shortlist:
The shortlist for the Men’s Ballon d’Or award includes:
- Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid
- Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid
- Lautaro Martinez – Inter
- Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
- Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen
- Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid
- William Saliba – Arsenal
- Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
- Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
- Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter
- Rodri – Man City
- Declan Rice – Arsenal
- Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
- Cole Palmer – Chelsea
- Vitinha – PSG
- Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid
- Martin Odegaard – Arsenal
- Dani Olmo – Barcelona
- Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
- Mats Hummels – Roma
- Erling Haaland – Man City
- Nicolas Williams – Athletic Bilbao
- Granit Xhaka – Bayer Leverkusen
- Artem Dovbik – Roma
- Toni Kroos – Real Madrid
- Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
- Phil Foden – Man City
- Ruben Dias – Man City
- Federico Valverde – Real Madrid
- Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa
