Who will win the 2024 Ballon d’Or? Here are five players we think could win the award | OneFootball

The Ballon d’Or is footballs most prestigious individual award for any footballer as it crowns the best player in the world.

In recent years, the prize has consistently boiled down to a two-horse race, mainly due to the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, this years award is arguably the most open one yet with lots of players in contention. So here are five players we believe could pick up the accolade in October later this year:

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

The 20-year-old English midfielder made his move to the Spanish capital and has lit up La Liga. Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has deployed Bellingham slightly more advanced in midfield than the youngster was at Borussia Dortmund. Following this shift in role, it has given him lots more freedom and has led him to the top of the La Liga goalscoring charts with 16 goals in just 23 appearances this season, as well as four goals and four assists in the Champions League. Los Blancos look set to win La Liga and are still in the Champions League. If they can win European football’s ultimate prize it would surely give Bellingham the lead for the Ballon d’Or race going into the European Championship.

Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Despite Bayern Munich’s failure of a season domestically, Harry Kane has broken numerous records in his debut season in Germany. As well as this, he currently leads the race for the Champions League golden boot with seven goals in nine games this season. The English striker is also way ahead in the European golden boot rankings which further boosts his chances in this years Ballon d’Or. Very similarly to Bellingham, if Kane can captain England to silverware then surely he has to be amongst the favourites for the award.

Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain

This could be Kylian Mbappe’s best chance at winning his first Ballon d’Or as his former teammate Messi is out the picture. The Frenchman has had limited minutes recently since telling Luis Enrique that he would be leaving the French capital at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract. However, if the 25-year-old can drag the Parisiens to their first ever Champions League trophy he would have a great chance at finally getting the award. In addition to this, France will be the favourites for the upcoming European Championships in Germany which will have lots of weight on the Ballon d’Or voting.

Phil Foden – Manchester City

Phil Foden is having the best season of his career so far and has become Manchester City’s main man. The 23-year-old has stepped up multiple times in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne and has guided the Citizens on course for another treble. Foden has 14 goals and seven assists in the Premier League this season which has already bettered his tally in each of his previous campaigns. With City still in all three possible competitions and a promising summer ahead for England, Foden could stamp his case down as the Ballon d’Or favourite.

Rodri – Manchester City

Undoubtedly the best in the world at what he does, Rodri has to have a case for this years Ballon d’Or. The Spaniard hasn’t lost a game that he’s featured in for 65 matches, which is absolutely absurd. He is usually well known for his intelligence, strength and defensive ability but has shown that he can really do it all and this season has been evidence of that. Rodri has picked up 14 goal involvements in the Premier League this season – not bad for a defensive midfielder. He has been the cog in Pep’s side and arguably their most important player. Could we finally see a holding midfielders pick up the award?

An honourable mention has to go to Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann who has often gone under the radar in conversations like these. The French forward has been superb for Simeone’s side this season and is currently joint second in the Champions League golden boot race. There is also a case to be argued that he could have picked up the 2016 and 2018 awards following his impressive performances for France at the European Championship and World Cup.

Who do you think will win the Ballon D’or?

Get Football | Ewan Minns