The 2024 Men’s Ballon d’or Nominees List Drops

Among the leading contenders is Vinicius Jr, who had an amazing 2023-2024 season, with 26 goals, 12 assists and also won the Champions League, The La Liga, and the Supercopa de Espana. Injury meant that, Vinicius did not get off to a hood start, but after shaking off his fitness issues he was back to being the amazing winger that he is for Real Madrid and his home country Brazil. The winger went on to be the outstanding player in both legs of Madrid's Champions League semi-final win over Bayern Munich, and he went on to light up Wembley in the final by scoring the second goal in the victory over Borussia Dortmund. Whether that is enough to deny him the Ballon d'Or remains to be seen, as he remains the favourite to claim the Golden Ball on October 28.

Rodri of Manchester City also stands out as a top contender, following a stellar year with Manchester City and the Spanish national team. His achievements saw him scoring 12 goals with 15 assists, winning the Euro 2024, The Premier League, The Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. Until the FA Cup final, it had been over a year since Rodri last tasted defeat inside 90 minutes for Man City, he is seen to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. The Man City player played a crucial role in providing the strike that sealed the Premier League title for City. This means him catching the eyes of even more fans, and Ballon d'Or voters.

Jude Bellingham’s nomination comes as no surprise as he proved to be the best footballer in the world during the first half of the 2023-24 season, Bellingham took to his new surroundings at Real Madrid like no signing since Cristiano Ronaldo. Not only did he score frequently, but he also netted hugely important goals, too. Achievements that the young talent has under his belt contending for the Ballon d’or are 27 goals with 17 assists, wining the Champions League, The La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana. 

The hype around him was tempered somewhat in early 2024, due to him missing games through injury and suspension, but he reignited his Golden Ball bid with a tireless performance to help knock Manchester City out of the Champions League before netting his second stoppage-time winner in the El Clasico of the season against Barcelona. He went on to score two crucial goals for England at Euro 2024, including his last-gasp overhead-kick against Slovakia to keep the Three Lions' tournament alive in the last 16. Beating Spain in the final would surely have led to a first Golden Ball for Bellingham, but he will likely just have to make do with a place on the podium after Gareth Southgate's side came up short in Berlin.

Another notable name on the list is Dani Carvajal who with the timeframe under review, has 7 goals with 8 assists, 21 clean sheets, including winning the Euro 2024, Champions League, La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana. One of the unsung heroes of Real Madrid's season, Carvajal stepped up at big moments throughout the campaign with key goals and assists while also locking down the right side of defence. No more clear was his impact than when he opened the scoring in the Champions League final to help secure a 15th European Cup for Los Blancos, Real Madrid. 

Lamine Yamal’s nomination for the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or is a proof of his rapid rise as one of football's brightest young talents. At just 17 years old, Yamal has already made a significant impact at FC Barcelona, showcasing exceptional skill, vision, and composure that belies his age. With 10 goals, 18 assists and winning the Euro 2024, his nomination highlights the growing recognition of young players who are not just future stars but are making immediate contributions at the highest level of the sport. Yamal's creativity on the wing, ability to take on defenders, and mature decision-making have set him apart in a competitive field, making his inclusion in the Ballon d'Or shortlist both historic and indicative of his potential to become one of the game's greats. This nomination not only celebrates his individual brilliance but also marks a new era of youthful excellence in global football.

The 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or race is set to be one of the most exciting in recent years, with no clear favorite emerging early on. Each nominee brings a compelling case, backed by impressive individual performances and achievements. As the football world eagerly awaits the announcement, the debate will continue on who truly deserves to be crowned the best player in the world this year. The 2024 Ballon d'Or will undoubtedly celebrate excellence in the sport.