We are now into football awards season in 2024, with speculation rising on who will pick up this year’s prestigious Ballon d’Or gong.
Several stars impressed last season, with cases boosted by some eye-catching summer performances at Euro 2024 and the Copa America, as the shortlist…well, shortens.
Lionel Messi picked up the prize last year following his stellar performance at the 2022 World Cup, which saw him guide Argentina to a first global title since 1986.
However, that decision caused plenty of controversy due to Messi’s underwhelming season at club level compared to that of Erling Haaland, who dominated the goalscoring charts and won the treble with Manchester City.
This year it’s harder to predict and we won’t find out the winner until the ceremony, which takes place on Monday, October 28.
All the odds for the Ballon d’Or can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise, below are details on the leading contenders.
Lionel Messi with the Ballon d’Or trophy
Ballon d’Or rankings
Paddy Power’s top traders have ranked the leading contenders to win the Ballon d’Or 2024:
Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian was heavily tipped to win his first-ever Ballon d’Or title after playing a vital role in Real Madrid winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
The winger scored the decisive goal in the European final and grabbed 24 goals across all competitions. His silky skills and lethal striking put him right in the hunt.
However, as part of a sensational twist, widespread rumours on social media have claimed he will not attend the event after receiving an indication he will not win it.
🚨 BREAKING: Vinicius Jr will NOT travel to Paris as Real Madrid know he will NOT win the Ballon d’Or.
No one from Real Madrid will attend the ceremony. No Florentino Pérez, no Vini Jr, no Carlo Ancelotti, no Jude Bellingham. pic.twitter.com/qN9PaYjmR0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 28, 2024
Rodri
He often goes under the radar, but Rodri has, arguably, been the most important player in a Manchester City midfield that includes Kevin de Bruyne.
The midfield maestro played a vital role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph which boosted him right up the charts of those likely to win football’s biggest individual honour.
The Spaniard finished fifth on the list last season, behind his midfield partner, but with De Bruyne missing a chunk of last season, Rodri is a more likely shout for the award this time around.
Jude Bellingham
Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid and England’s star man Jude Bellingham remains one of the favourites for the top award.
Since making his £88m move to Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund last summer, Bellingham excelled in every competition scoring 23 in 42 club appearances.
Despite the summer arrival of Kylian Mbappe, he remains a key figure in Carlo Ancelotti’s attack and is often found on the end of balls into the box, becoming a prolific goal scorer and key in last season’s La Liga and Champions League victories.
Dani Carvajal
The right-back played a key part in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League victories in 2024, even scoring a goal to help win the European trophy. He rubber-stamped his successful year by winning Euro 2024 with Spain.
Carvajal has been at the top of the game for so long, and this year has been his best yet, and he leads the outside pick market.
Lamine Yamal
The young star emerged at Euro 2024, cementing his name into people’s minds by scoring a wonder strike in the semi-final at just 16 years old.
Yamal followed that up with an assist in the final as Spain beat England 2-1. His exploits earned him the Young Player of the Tournament award.
A solid start to the season with Barcelona could see him in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or.
Ballon d’Or nominees
The following 30 players have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or 2024:
Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)
Ruben Dias (Portugal and Manchester City)
Phil Foden (England and Manchester City)
Federico Valverde (Uruguay and Real Madrid)
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa)
Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)
Nico Williams (Spain and Athletic Bilbao)
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen)
Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine and Roma)
Toni Kroos (former Germany and Real Madrid)
Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)
Dani Olmo (Spain and Barcelona)
Florian Wirtz (Germany and Bayer Leverkusen)
Martin Odegaard (Norway and Arsenal)
Mats Hummels (Germany, free agent)
Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)
Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)
Declan Rice (England and Arsenal)
Vitinha (Portugal and Paris St-Germain)
Cole Palmer (England and Chelsea)
Dani Carvajal (Spain and Real Madrid)
Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona)
Bukayo Saka (England and Arsenal)
Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey and Inter Milan)
William Saliba (France and Arsenal)
Kylian Mbappe (France and Real Madrid)
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria and Atalanta)
Antonio Rudiger (Germany and Real Madrid)
Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain and Bayer Leverkusen)
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