Chronicle Editor
As the 2024/25 football season kicks off, all eyes are on the prestigious Ballon d’Or, set to crown the world’s best player later this year. After Lionel Messi’s historic eighth triumph in 2023, following Argentina’s World Cup glory in 2022, the football world is buzzing about .
Messi, now 35 years old and playing in MLS for Inter Miami after leaving PSG, is no longer in Europe’s top-flight competitions, leaving room for a new generation of stars to stake their claim.
With both established names and rising talents in the mix, the race for football’s most coveted individual award is wide open.
What is the Ballon d’Or?
The Ballon d’Or is the pinnacle of individual accolades in football, awarded annually by France Football to the player deemed to have been the best over the past year.
The award, which dates back to 1956, takes into account individual performances, contributions to team success, and overall sportsmanship.
The ceremony is typically held in Paris and is determined by votes from 100 international journalists, who each select their top three players, with the already putting up odds on who they think will win the award in 2024.
Who could win it this year?
As with any Ballon d’Or discussion, the conversation this year is as much about who isn’t on the list as who is.
Notable omissions include Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who had an impressive individual campaign but saw his team falter in their pursuit of the Premier League in Jurgen Klopp’s last year. His teammate Virgil van Dijk, a mainstay in the Ballon d’Or conversation in recent years, also misses out, alongside Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son, who despite his remarkable form at times, hasn’t had the collective success needed to boost his case.
On the other side of the equation, this year’s shortlist features a range of players, some expected and others emerging from the fringes. Let’s break down the key contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
The only African player to make the cut this year after Salah missed out, Ademola Lookman has undergone a career renaissance in Italy.
After a difficult spell in the Premier League, found his footing at Atalanta, becoming a key figure in their success last season.
His hat-trick in the Europa League final was one of the highlights of the European campaign, showcasing his flair, speed, and finishing prowess. Lookman’s turnaround story has made him a standout, and it will be interesting to see if he can replicate that form in Bergamo as they face a tough Champions League group phase that sees them face the likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Few can argue with Erling Haaland’s inclusion among the frontrunners. The Norwegian striker has been a goal machine since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Haaland secured his second consecutive Premier League Golden Boot last season and continued his relentless form at the start of this campaign, scoring consecutive hat-tricks and leading City’s attack with a ruthless affect
His transfer fee, which is still disputed amongst City fans and the rest of Europe, still looks like a bargain given his contributions, including leading City to another Premier League title.
Many view Haaland as one of the new faces who could define the Ballon d’Or era post-Messi and Ronaldo, thanks to his freakish consistency in front of goal and his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Rodri – Manchester City
If Haaland represents City’s offensive machine, Rodri is the engine room. The Spanish midfielder has become a crucial cog in Pep Guardiola’s title-winning side and looks to become the first Spaniard since the original Luis Suárez in 1960 to win the Ballon d’Or.
His deep-lying role at City took some time to establish after joining City in 2019, but he is perhaps the best in the world in his position at the time of writing, and his leadership make him one of the most well-rounded players in the modern game.
Rodri played a key role in Manchester City’s Premier League triumph and was also a standout performer for Spain as they captured the European Championship this summer. Despite being substituted in the Euro final, his performances throughout the tournament were crucial as Luis de la Fuente’s men beat England to lift the trophy.
Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid
Vinícius Júnior continues his ascent to with another exceptional season for Real Madrid. Last year, he scored the decisive goal in the UEFA Champions League final- the second time in three years after his 2022 winner against Liverpool in Paris – securing Madrid’s victory against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
The Brazilian also posted his best-ever goal tally last term, with 24 across all competitions, proving his value as Madrid’s key attacking threat even in the face of competition from high-profile signings like Kylian Mbappé.
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As we await the Ballon d’Or ceremony later this year, the football world continues to debate who will emerge victorious. With Messi no longer a frontrunner and Ronaldo having moved to Al-Nassr, we are undoubtedly entering a new era in the Ballon d’Or narrative.
The ceremony, scheduled for later this year, will take place in its traditional setting in Paris, where the football elite will gather to celebrate the best of the best.
Online Reporter