The Ballon d’Or stands as football’s most prestigious individual accolade, awarded to the player deemed the finest in the sport.

While various factors, including political dynamics, certainly influence the annual selection process, only a select few clubs have celebrated Ballon d’Or winners since the turn of the millennium. Nevertheless, this award is widely acknowledged as the ultimate recognition in football, symbolizing excellence and mastery of the game.

This year’s voting appears to be highly competitive, and we have analyzed five standout contenders who deserve serious consideration for this coveted honor.

Vinicius Junior: The Dynamic Force Behind Real Madrid’s Success

Renowned manager Carlo Ancelotti has referred to Vinicius Junior as the world’s premier football talent, and the Brazilian winger certainly solidified his status as an elite game-changer during the 2023-24 season. Vinicius showcased his brilliance in the latter stages of the Champions League, playing a crucial role in helping Real Madrid clinch the title for an unprecedented 15th time.

Over the past three seasons, no player has contributed to more Champions League goals than Vinicius. The 24-year-old scored twice during the semi-final match against Bayern Munich and netted another in the 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the final. With this achievement, he became the youngest player ever to score in two Champions League finals, surpassing the legendary Lionel Messi.

Lo de @vinijr en la vuelta ante el Bayern #UCL pic.twitter.com/VG4D81FY8j

— Liga de Campeones (@LigadeCampeones) May 27, 2024

Jude Bellingham: The Rising Star of Real Madrid’s Midfield

Prior to this summer, Jude Bellingham seemed to be leading the race for the Ballon d’Or after an extraordinary season with Real Madrid. The prestigious club is known for its long history of players who have lifted this award, and Bellingham appeared to be a strong favorite.

Throughout the season, the 21-year-old midfielder scored an impressive 23 goals across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s triumphs in both La Liga and the Champions League. His late-game heroics during El Clasico enhanced his reputation among the Madrid faithful, although his teammate Vinicius was arguably more impactful on the European stage.

LaLiga Player of the Season (2023/24)
Bundesliga Player of the Season (2022/23)

Just a suggestion that Jude Bellingham is just twenty years old pic.twitter.com/l1hUVpqHOE

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) May 29, 2024

Bellingham reached the Euro 2024 final with the England national team; however, despite his standout moments against Serbia and Slovakia, he struggled to replicate the same driving force that characterized his club season. While this year may come too soon for him to claim the Ballon d’Or, he stands a genuine chance of becoming just the fifth Englishman to achieve this prestigious honor.

Rodri: The Unsung Hero of Manchester City

The essence of football can be simplified to the pursuit of a ball by 22 players for 90 minutes, but the reality is that Rodri has emerged as one of the sport’s most influential figures in recent memory.

The Spanish midfielder boasts an impressive record, having not lost a match for club or country in regular time for over a year. Since the beginning of 2023, he has secured a remarkable eight trophies compared to just four losses, showcasing his significant impact on the pitch.

Luka Modrić’s Ballon d’Or winning season compared to Rodri’s statistics this season pic.twitter.com/vrjDdlZQBw

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) July 18, 2024

At 28 years old, Rodri played an instrumental role in Manchester City’s record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title in the 2023-24 season and became a central figure in Spain’s success at Euro 2024. His recognition as Player of the Tournament at the European Championship, albeit perhaps controversially over teammates Fabian Ruiz and Lamine Yamal, highlighted his crucial role in Spain’s achievements. Both Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente and captain Alvaro Morata have publicly advocated for Rodri to receive the Ballon d’Or.

Florian Wirtz: The Heartbeat of Bayer Leverkusen

Surprisingly, to find Florian Wirtz listed as a contender for the Ballon d’Or, one must scroll far down the list of favorites, which seems unjustified given his remarkable performances.

Bayer Leverkusen’s title victory in the Bundesliga has emerged as one of the most compelling stories in European football this season, as the German side achieved an incredible feat by winning their first championship without a single loss. Under the management of Xabi Alonso, they also secured the DFB-Pokal, completing an Invincible domestic double, with their only setback being a loss in the Europa League final, preventing a historic treble.

Wirtz was the driving force behind Leverkusen’s outstanding season and rightfully earned the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season award. He not only scored 18 goals but also provided 20 assists across all competitions, and he continued his scoring form at Euro 2024, netting twice as Germany advanced to the quarter-finals.

Party time for Bayer Leverkusen

Florian Wirtz includes a 3rd from range pic.twitter.com/YKnpna1dLy

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 14, 2024

Unfortunately, there exists a bias towards superclubs in the Ballon d’Or voting process, which may hinder Wirtz’s chances of rising higher in the rankings.

Lautaro Martinez: The Prolific Striker’s Remarkable Season

Another player who deserves serious consideration but may not receive it is Lautaro Martinez, whose 2023-24 season was nothing short of exceptional.

After five impressive seasons at Inter Milan, he elevated his game to new heights this past season, scoring 24 goals to clinch the Capocannoniere award as Serie A’s top scorer during the club’s title-winning campaign. Following his successful stint with Inter, he propelled Argentina to continental glory, helping the world champions secure the Copa America title.

Martinez was a standout performer at the tournament, scoring five goals, including the decisive extra-time winner against Colombia in the final, all achieved in just 222 minutes of play, showcasing his efficiency as one of the top finishers in world football.

Lautaro Martínez had a season of his life

• Copa América champ
• Top scorer of the Copa América
• Game winner in the last
• Serie A winner
• Top scorer of Serie A
• Serie A MVP
• Italian Super Cup winner
• Game winner in Italian Super Cup. pic.twitter.com/8mezWwzMcT

— All About Argentina (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 15, 2024

Read – Ranking the 5 favorites to win the Ballon d’Or

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The post Who should win the 2024 Ballon d’Or? Our top contenders first appeared on The Football Faithful.


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