Ballon d’Or 2024 Power Rankings: Who’s really leading the race – Rodri, Vinicius Jr, or Bellingham?
For the first time in the last 2 decades, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the list of top 20 contenders announced by the France football. The Argentine forward took home his record eight Ballon d’Or after winning Copa America & World Cup but was subbed for his poor recent season with Miami. This may be the new beginning of New Stars’ domination and the end of an era of legendary battle for the most coveted individual trophy between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Jude Bellingham was looking like the front-runner for the trophy until Rodri’s blitz performances for Manchester City and Spain. Unfortunately, the Manchester City midfield maestro got injured and missed several games which opened the door for Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian magician, Vinicius Junior hasn’t looked back and has been in fine form the Real Madrid. The Ballon d’Or 2024 will be announced in Paris on Monday, October 28, but which superstar will take this beautiful trophy back home is still a big mystery to everyone. Let’s take an analytical look at the Power Rankings as some of the best performers of the season so far reflect their candidature for the next edition of the prestigious award to be held in October 2024.
10. Erling Haaland
The Norwegian striker won his second consecutive Golden Boot award in the Premier League, taking his tally to a total of 27 goals in 31 matches. But will he be able to cross the line, this time? Well, if we look at the stats, his record goal-scoring, memorable performances, and the trophies he won, he sure deserves a chance but Manchester City’s exit in the quarter-finals in the UEFA Champions League might cost him the Ballon d’Or this year. Not only that, Norwegian wasn’t able to create an impact for his country at the UEFA Euro 2024. He might likely be pushed down in the Ballon d’Or 2024 power rankings.
Stats: 45 goals, 6 assists,1x Premier League, 1x Club World Cup & 1x UEFA Super Cup
9. Phil Foden
The Man City’s phenomenon Phil Foden stepped up in 2023/24 in the absence of Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland for major parts of the campaign. The attacking midfielder witnessed his best campaign in a City shirt for which he was honoured with the Premier League Player of the Year award. But he couldn’t replicate this form on the international level as he struggled to make an impact in an England shirt this summer.
Stats: 28 goals, 12 assists, 1x Premier League, 1x Club World Cup & 1x UEFA Super Cup
8. Kylian Mbappe
Heating up the Ballon d’Or 2024 power rankings is French forward Kylian Mbappe. Despite making a blockbuster move to Real Madrid in the summer, Mbappe had a disappointing run with France in Euro 2024. He has churned out a significant sum of 52 goals and 21 assists in the 2023-2024 campaign but will not be lifting his first Ballon d’Or later this year. The French forward had a slow start to the La Liga season but suddenly picked his pace and has scored 6 goals so far. France’s elimination from the UEFA Euro and PSG’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League might have pushed him back in the Ballon d’Or 2024 Power rankings.
Stats: 52 goals, 21 assists, 1x Ligue 1, 1x Coupe de France & 1x Trophee des Champions
7. Harry Kane
Harry Kane has been smashing records in the Bundesliga in terms of goal-scoring. The England striker has witnessed stellar numbers in front of the goal since joining the German giants Bayern Munich. In the 2023-2024 season, he has registered a significant tally of 44 goals and 12 assists leading him to his first-ever Bundesliga Golden Boot. Despite losing the Euro 2024 final, Kane shared the Golden Boot alongside five other players. The English striker opted to move to Bayern Munich to test his long-awaited dream of winning a trophy ended with disappointment as Bayern Munich failed to win any Silverware. Kane has already scored 8 goals for Bayern this season and will be hoping to win his first silverware.
Stats: 52 goals & 14 assists
6. Lamine Yamal
The 17-year-old Lamine Yamal has shocked football fans and pundits alike with his performances for his country and club. Barcelona may have ended their season without any silverware but the rise of Yamal may have given them hope for the Blaugrana’s future. The winger bagged the Young Player of the Tournament at the UEFA Euro and showed his skills and a glimpse of what he can do on the football pitch. Yamal played a key role in the dominance asserted by Spain throughout the tournament with 4 assists and a goal in a win over France in the semi-final.
Stats: 10 goals, 18 assists, & 1x Euro 2024
Also Read: 5 Liga Portugal Players on Premier League Clubs’ Summer Transfer Radar
5. Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine striker fired Inter Milan to the Scudetto after a sensational campaign in the Serie A where he smashed 24 goals to bag the Golden Boot Award. Martinez also ended up as Copa America’s Golden Boot winner with five goals after scoring the match-winner in the final against Colombia. But that didn’t last long, after a dominant season for Inter and Argentina, he has been struggling in Serie A this season. The Argentine striker has only managed to net 4 goals in 10 games in all competitions for Inter Milan which might cost him the trophy and push him out of the race.
Stats: 35 goals, 8 assists, 1x Copa America, 1x Serie A & 1x Supercoppa Italiana
4. Dani Carvajal
The veteran defender is one of the surprising names on the list who played a key role as Spain won their fourth European Championship trophy in Germany. Carvajal also opened the scoring in Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund. The Spanish Right Back, Dani Carvajal has stepped up at the crucial moments with some key assists and goals for both club and country. Dani is one of the unsung heroes of Real Madrid’s successful campaign as all the limelights were taken by his clubmates Bellingham and Vinicius. He managed to carry his form to this season as well but unfortunately got injured and missed a few games already.
Stats: 7 goals, 8 assists, 21 clean sheets, 1x Euro 2024, 1x Champions League, 1x La Liga & 1x Supercopa de Espana
3. Jude Bellingham
The Real Madrid player has emerged as one of the standout performers of the season so far both for club and country. Jude Bellingham has been consistently on the score sheet for the Los Blancos and ended the season as the club’s top-scorer. He is termed to be in the form of his life at the highest level of football. Bellingham has a tally of 27 goals and 17 assists to his name in the 2023-2024 season. Probably, the best player in the world in the first half of the season but a few games missed due to injuries, suspension, and England’s failure to win the UEFA Euro might haunt him in his chance to grab the Ballon d’Or 2024 trophy. Since, the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Jude has suddenly lost his charm and has been lagging since then.
Stats: 27 goals, 17 assists, 1x Champions League, 1x La Liga & 1x Supercopa de Espana
2. Rodri
Manchester City‘s Rodri has been consistently regarded as the best defensive midfielder over the last few years and he has continued that streak coming into the year 2024 as well. The Spaniard witnessed one of the best seasons in his professional career by winning the Premier League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup in the 2023/24 season. Rodri also played an instrumental role in Spain’s fourth European trophy in Germany and was also honored with the Player of the Tournament recognition. The defensive midfielder was certain to win the Ballon d’Or 2024 but injury at the wrong moment may have closed his case.
Stats: 12 goals, 15 assists, 1x Euro 2024, 1x Premier League, 1x Club World Cup & 1x UEFA Super Cup
1. Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior has emerged as one of the top performers since the 2023-2024 season started. The Real Madrid player has notched up 26 goals and 12 assists in the 202/24 campaign and bagged the Champions League, La Liga, and Supercopa de Espana. The Brazilian had a disappointing campaign with the Selecao in Copa America but he is surely one of the standout players in the Ballon d’Or 2024 power rankings. The Ballon d’Or has historically favoured attackers over defensive midfielders and this could be a year for the Brazilian superstar. The Brazilian forward has been one of the best players in recent times and is considered a clutch player who performs at crucial games as well. With his fine form in last season and this for Real Madrid, he’s most likely and deserving to win the Ballon d’Or 2024. Vinicius has announced himself as one of the players who will be dominating this award for years to come and his recent CR7 ‘SIU’ has put stakes on authority.
Stats: 26 goals, 12 assists, 1x Champions League, 1x La Liga & 1x Supercopa de Espana
Also Read: Listing the 10 most expensive striker transfers of all-time