The stage is set for an electrifying night at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, as the world eagerly anticipates the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony. Scheduled for Monday, October 28th at 8 PM CET, this year’s event marks a historic moment in football history—the first time in over a decade that neither Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, nor Lionel Messi, the record-holding eight-time winner, has made the list of nominees. The absence of these footballing icons signals the dawn of a new era and opens the floor for a fresh face to be crowned the world’s best player.
The Contenders: A Mix of Youth, Experience, and Rising Stars
The 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist features 30 of the world’s most outstanding footballers, representing a wide range of clubs and countries. From young prodigies making waves to seasoned veterans proving their worth, this year’s nominees promise to bring a highly competitive race for football’s most prestigious individual accolade.
Real Madrid’s Dominance
Real Madrid once again shows its prominence in world football with five players nominated. Jude Bellingham, the English midfield sensation, has had a stellar debut season at the Santiago Bernabéu. His incredible work rate, ball control, and knack for scoring crucial goals have made him a favorite for the award. Federico Valverde and Toni Kroos have been the engine in Real Madrid’s midfield, while Vinicius Jr. continues to dazzle with his speed and flair on the wings. Antonio Rudiger, solid in defense, completes Real Madrid’s formidable representation.
Manchester City’s Triple Threat
Premier League champions Manchester City boast three nominees, each crucial to their success. Erling Haaland, coming off a record-breaking season, is one of the favorites after an astonishing 56 goals in all competitions. Phil Foden and Ruben Dias also make the list; Foden has consistently demonstrated his playmaking prowess, while Dias has been a rock in City’s defense.
Arsenal’s Rising Stars
Arsenal’s resurgence in the Premier League is well-reflected in the Ballon d’Or shortlist. Captain Martin Odegaard, the midfield maestro, is joined by Bukayo Saka, whose pace and creativity have been a nightmare for defenders, and William Saliba, who has marshaled Arsenal’s defense with poise and power. Declan Rice, a new addition to the Gunners’ midfield, also finds himself on the list after a seamless transition from West Ham to Arsenal.
Bayern Munich’s Big-Name Signing
Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich has proven fruitful as he finds himself among the Ballon d’Or contenders. With his incredible goal-scoring ability and leadership on the pitch, Kane has been instrumental in Bayern’s domestic and European campaigns.
The Emerging Talent
Players like Nicolas Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig/Barcelona), and Cole Palmer (Chelsea) are among the younger talents who have shown they can compete with the best. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, now with Real Madrid, continues to be a global superstar, while Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage prodigy, has made headlines with his breakout season.
Kopa Trophy and Yachine Trophy Nominees
While the Ballon d’Or remains the most anticipated award, the Kopa Trophy for the best young player and the Yachine Trophy for the best goalkeeper also feature exciting shortlists. Lamine Yamal leads the Kopa Trophy race, joined by the likes of Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) and Arda Guler (Real Madrid).
For the Yachine Trophy, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez is once again in contention after a fantastic year, alongside other top shot-stoppers like PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Porto’s Diogo Costa.
Men’s Coach of the Year and Team of the Year
The Men’s Coach of the Year shortlist includes some of the best tacticians in the world, such as Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), who has once again led his team to domestic glory, and Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), whose experience and strategic acumen have kept Madrid competitive on all fronts. Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen), Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), and Luis De La Fuente (Spain) round out the list, each bringing their unique style and success to the table.
The Team of the Year award will be a tough call, with Borussia Dortmund, Girona, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, and Manchester City all vying for the honor after impressive seasons.
A Historic Night Awaits: Who Will Make History?
With the absence of Ronaldo and Messi, this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony is arguably the most unpredictable in recent memory. Who will rise to the occasion and claim the most prestigious individual honor in football? Will it be a young star like Bellingham or an established powerhouse like Haaland? Or perhaps a dark horse will emerge to steal the show?
Share Your Predictions!
Football fans worldwide are invited to share their predictions and thoughts on who they believe will win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Kopa Trophy, Yachine Trophy, Men’s Coach of the Year, and Team of the Year. With the world watching, one thing is certain—the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be a night to remember.
8 Comments
I want vini but as a black guy hmmm
Won’t they just decide to give Rodri their votes
I mean sentimental eligible white voters
Hi Sir Julius
Thanks for your comments.
Let’s see how it goes. I am very hopeful it will all captains and journalists will be very transparent in their votes.
Vini
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