Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious award in the football world that gathers the world's best players under one roof.
The 2023 Ballon d'Or is already in the past. Erling Haaland came in second, but Lionel Messi became victorious. Third was Kylian Mbappe.
Messi had an incredible year, winning the World Cup 2022 with Argentina and joining Inter Miami. He also won the award for a record eighth time.
After joining Manchester City in the summer of 2022, Haaland had a stellar season, making him one of the favorites to win the prize. The Norwegian broke multiple records, scored a ton of goals, and won the treble with City, which included the Champions League title.
After yet another fantastic season with both club and country, Mbappe finished third. Mbappe advanced to the final with France, where he finished second after losing to Argentina. Ligue 1 title earned while at PSG
Who are the favorites to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or? Let's take a look at the top 10 list of players who could compete for the award in 2024 due to their form throughout the year.
While the race for the Ballon d'Or 2024 award is ongoing, The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 ceremony took place on January 15.
Here is the list of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 Winners:
- The Best FIFA Men's Player: Lionel Messi
- The Best FIFA Women's Player: Aitana Bonmati
- The Best FIFA Men's Coach: Pep Guardiola
- The Best FIFA Women's Coach: Sarina Wiegman
- The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper: Ederson
- The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper: Mary Earps
- FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil men's national team
- FIFA Puskas Award: Guilherme Madruga
- FIFA Fan Award: Hugo Daniel "Toto" Iniguez
- FIFA Special Award: Marta
- FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11: Thibaut Courtois, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Vinicius Junior, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland
- FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Olga Carmona, Alex Greenwood, Aitana Bonmati, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Lauren James, Sam Kerr, Alex Morgan & Alessia Russo
UEFA to team up with Groupe Amaury to co-organise the Ballon d’Or 2024
It has been announced that UEFA and Groupe Amaury have teamed up to co-organise the prestigious Ballon d'Or starting in 2024. The goal of this partnership, as stated on UEFA's official website, is to enhance the awards' global reputation and foster unity within the football community.
Under this agreement, Groupe Amaury will continue to own the Ballon d'Or brand and maintain control over the existing voting system, which will remain independent and unaltered. Meanwhile, UEFA will apply its football expertise, handle global commercial rights, and oversee the annual awards ceremony.
Furthermore, two new awards will be introduced to honor the top male and female coaches of the year. The existing trophy categories and their names, including Men's Ballon d'Or, Women's Ballon d'Or, Kopa Trophy (best player under 21), Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer in the previous season), Men's Club of the Season Trophy, Women's Club of the Season Trophy, and the Sócrates Award (for humanitarian work), will remain unchanged.
Ballon d'Or 2024 Power Rankings December by Vbet News
#1 Jude Bellingham
Club: Real Madrid
Country: England
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 36
Goals: 21
Assists: 10
Trophies:
Spanish Super Cup
Image Source: Getty Images
Jude Bellingham is one of the highly rated and most wanted players in the world right at the moment.
The midfielder, who proved to be a real deal in the World Cup 2022, has decided his next destination for future improvement as he continues his playing spell at Real Madrid starting from the 2023/24 season.
For his contribution to the team, Bellingham has already won five Man of the Match awards with Real Madrid and four Man of the Match awards with the England national team so far this season. He is proving to be one of the promising stars of the time and one of the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or award not only for his display with Los Blancos but also after helping the England national team secure their spot in the Euro 2024.
Bellingham played another impressive game for Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona, with Los Blancos lifting the trophy after a 4 - 1 win.
Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy during the Ballon d'Or 2023 and was ranked 18th. He also received the Golden Boy 2023 award after his brilliant season with Borussia Dortmund.
#2 Kylian Mbappe
Club: PSG
Country: France
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 44
Goals: 43
Assists: 10
Trophies:
French Ligue 1
Image Source: Getty Images
The 24-year-old star shows incredible stats with PSG and his national team. He was France's hero in the World Cup final, helping the team to fight until the last moment.
The French professional continues to be the hero of his national team at the European level as France now compete in the Euro 2024 qualifiers and are one of the favorites to win the tournament after booking a spot in the final stage of the tournament with the help of Mbappe.
In the latest meeting with Champions League rivals, Real Sociedad, Mbappe scored double for his side which secured the club's place in the quarter-finals.
Mbappe played a crucial role in PSG's victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals. The French side are set to face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals of the European top tier.
#3 Erling Haaland
Club: Manchester City
Country: Norway
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 40
Goals: 32
Assists: 6
Trophies:
UEFA Super Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
Image Source: Getty Images
Haaland is one of the most promising names in the football world. This young man doesn't stop working to reach his high goals.
The Norway international managed to reach highs as he secured a Champions League trophy with Manchester City. His 2022/23 campaign at Etihad was full of individual achievements as he became the top goalscorer both in the Premier League and in the Champions League. He also marked his name as the Premier League Player of the Season.
Following the impressive campaign with the Citizens, Haaland has won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year, the PFA Men’s Players’ Player of the Year and has been included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
Unfortunately, things are yet to get better for the attacker in the ongoing 2023/24 campaign. So far has recorded eight goals and two assists in 12 games, while we won't see Norway in the Euro 2024 after the team's failure in the group stage. However, Manchester City's success in domestic and European competitions could be an important factor for Halaand's involvement in the Ballon d'Or run.
Haaland showed his monstrous skills during the FA Cup fifth-round game against Luton Town, becoming the only player in Manchester City history to score five goals in a single game twice.
In the latest Champions League game against RB Leipzig, Haaland marked his name on the scoresheet along with Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez.
The Man City star finished second in the Ballon d'Or 2023 and in FIFA The Best 2023 as Messi won both awards. Nevertheless, the Norwegian was crowned as Golden Player Man award for his achievements in 2023.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
Club: Al Nassr
Country: Portugal
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 38
Goals: 36
Assists: 12
Image Source: Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the Vbet News Ballon Dor 2024 Power Rankings, which may surprise you. Despite playing in the Saudi Arabian league, the 38-year-old Portuguese has kicked off quite well this season.
So far this term, Ronaldo has scored 36 goals and provided 12 assists for Al Nassr, while after his recent performances on the international stage, he has achieved a remarkable feat. He now holds the world record for the most international goals, having scored 127 for Portugal since his debut in 2003.
Ronaldo has a decent chance of winning the 6th Ballon Dor if he leads his nation to a second European Championship victory next summer in Germany. The Al-Nassr star was not in the top 30 rankings of Ballon d'Or 2023.
The Portuguese star received a Golden Boot award after scoring most goals in a calendar year (54).
#5 Harry Kane
Club: Bayern Munich
Country: England
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 42
Goals: 42
Assists: 13
Image Source: Getty Images
The year 2024 could be the best time to see Harry Kane in action both on the club level and in the European Championship.
The England national team star has already broken records as the Three Lions' leader, which already proves he is capable of doing more. He will continue to shine in Europe as he has now joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. The latter is one of the best teams in the world right now. Kane came 19th in the Ballon d'Or 2023 rankings.
Kane continues to show monstrous results in Germany's top tier. In 33 games, the attacker has already scored 33 goals and provided seven assists for his side.
The latest meeting with Champions League rivals Lazio ended with Bayern's win as Kane scored a double to give his side the lead and help the team reach the quarter-finals.
#6 Lautaro Martinez
Club: Inter Milan
Country: Argentina
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 41
Goals: 26
Assists: 6
Trophies:
Italian Serie A
Supercoppa Italiana
Image Source: Getty Images
Lautaro Martinez has garnered significant attention recently because of his impressive displays for both Inter and the Argentina national team.
The forward remains in excellent form, contributing to Inter's success in both domestic and European competitions with a remarkable record of 11 goals and two assists in 10 matches. Martinez finished 20th in the Ballon d'Or 2023.
The Argentina international's latest contribution to the Champions League came in Inter Milan's meeting with Real Sociedad, with the two sides playing a goalless draw.
Martinez played a crucial role in the final of Supercoppa Italiana, with the attacker's only goal securing the domestic title for the team. He also helped the team to secure the Serie A title.
#7 Rodri
Club: Manchester City
Country: Spain
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 45
Goals: 8
Assists: 12
Trophies:
UEFA Super Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
Image Source: Getty Images
Rodri is currently one of the brightest names in the world of football due to his outstanding performances for Manchester City and the Spain national team.
The defensive midfielder plays a key role in the squad and has many times proved to be the game changer if needed.
Rodri won a penalty against Manchester United which resulted in Erling Haaland's first goal against the rivals in the 3 - 0 victory. He was 5th in the Ballon d'Or 2023.
The Spanish star has been awarded as the best midfielder of 2023 in the Golden Globe Awards.
#8 Son Heung-min
Club: Tottenham
Country: South Korea
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 31
Goals: 16
Assists: 9
Image Source: Getty Images
The departure of Harry Kane seems to have had a beneficial impact on Son Heung-Min's career with Tottenham. Under the leadership of Spurs' head coach Ange Postecoglou, the North London club have been performing exceptionally well, currently topping the Premier League table with a remarkable record of eight wins and two draws.
Son is playing a pivotal role in Tottenham's recent successes, forming a strong partnership with the summer signing James Maddison.
#9 Bruno Fernandes
Club: Manchester United
Country: Portugal
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 45
Goals: 15
Assists: 11
Image Source: Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes could be considered one of the most pivotal players globally at the moment.
Following his instrumental role in Manchester United's Carabao Cup victory last season, he continues to be a significant force that could assist the Red Devils in overcoming their challenges this season. Additionally, he contributes to Portugal's remarkable unbeaten streak in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Fernandes was not in the top 30 rankings of Ballon d'Or 2023.
In Manchester United's FA Cup game versus Coventry, Fernandes played a crucial role in the squad, scoring a goal. He helped the team to reach the FA Cup final where their opponents will be Manchester City.
#10 Vinicius Jr.
Club: Real Madrid
Country: Brazil
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 33
Goals: 19
Assists: 11
Trophies:
Spanish Super Cup
Image Source: Getty Images
Vinicius Jr. remains a crucial presence in the Real Madrid squad, forming a significant partnership with Jude Bellingham as they pursue success in La Liga and potentially the Champions League.
The Brazilian international also stands out when representing his national team, increasing their prospects of winning the Copa America.
Vinicius' role in Real Madrid's Super Cup win was crucial as the attacker scored two important goals against Barcelona in the final of the domestic competition.
Vinicius Jr finished 6th in the Ballon d'Or 2023.
#11 Lionel Messi
Club: Inter Miami
Country: Argentina
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 10
Goals: 11
Assists: 6
Image Source: Getty Images
Lionel Messi, another football legend, continues to shine even after leaving European football and joining the MLS team, Inter Miami. So far he has recorded 11 goals and five assists for his club this term.
Despite a recent muscle injury, Messi was selected for the Argentina squad. He not only started the game but also scored his 30th and 31st goals in World Cup qualifying matches, establishing himself as the all-time leading scorer in South American World Cup qualifying history.
With the recent news of UEFA's role in organizing the upcoming Ballon d'Or, there's a possibility that Lionel Messi might no longer be among the top candidates to secure another Ballon d'Or award. UEFA's participation in the organization could potentially not favor players who do not participate in UEFA-sponsored competitions.
After his successful spell with PSG and the Argentina national team, Messi received both the Ballon d'Or 2023 and The FIFA Best Men's Player awards.
#12 Mohamed Salah
Club: Liverpool
Country: Egypt
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 41
Goals: 24
Assists: 13
Trophies:
Carabao Cup
Image Source: Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool experienced a challenging season last year, with signs of improvement emerging towards the end of the campaign, ultimately finishing 5th in the Premier League. This season, the Reds have not only been competitive in the Premier League but have also demonstrated their worth as one of the top English teams in European football.
Currently occupying 1st place in the Premier League, Liverpool are showcasing their quality in the ongoing Europa League, positioning themselves as strong contenders to secure the tournament victory.
Mo Salah is playing a vital role in this impressive run, gradually returning to his best form for the team. In the Premier League showdown against Crystal Palace, the attacker reached a record of 150 league goals and will surely continue his superb run.
As he continues to shine, Salah will soon have an opportunity to compete for the AFCON trophy as well, and his contributions to the team's success could have a significant impact on his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.
#13 Rafael Leao
Club: AC Milan
Country: Portugal
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 43
Goals: 13
Assists: 13
Image Source: Getty Images
AC Milan secured a 4th-place finish in the Serie A last season, earning them a spot in the ongoing Champions League tournament. Unfortunately, the Italian club's performance in the competition hasn't lived up to the expectations of their passionate supporters. Milan currently sit in 4th place in the group stage, and their chances of progressing to the next stage appear to be quite slim.
Nonetheless, one thing remains certain: Rafael Leao is a rising star within AC Milan's ranks, and his potential could significantly contribute to the team's success in Serie A. Moreover, this young talent is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming performances of the Portuguese national team during Euro 2024, with the squad being considered among the favorites to contend for the championship.
In their latest Champions League game, AC Milan celebrated a 2 - 1 win over French giants PSG, with Rafael Leao scoring one of the winning goals for his team.
#14 Bukayo Saka
Club: Arsenal
Country: England
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 45
Goals: 19
Assists: 14
Image Source: Getty Images
Arsenal's ambitions of clinching the Premier League title were dashed last season when Mikel Arteta's team settled for the second spot in the domestic top tier, relinquishing their early lead to rivals Manchester City. However, the Gunners found solace in making a return to Champions League football after a prolonged absence, and their European journey has so far been marked by success.
While excelling in the Champions League, Arsenal have also maintained an unbeaten streak in the Premier League, currently occupying the 2nd position in the league standings with a record of seven victories and three draws.
One of the standout players in the Arsenal squad is Bukayo Saka, who continues to dazzle for the Gunners, contributing crucial goals and assists.
Saka's significance to the team is not limited to the club; he also plays a vital role in the England national team. His chances in the Ballon d'Or race could significantly improve if he achieves success with both his club and the national side.
#15 Alvaro Morata
Club: Atletico Madrid
Country: Spain
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 44
Goals: 20
Assists: 4
Image Source: Getty Images
Alvaro Morata has played a pivotal role for Atletico Madrid so far, contributing significantly to the team's performance in both domestic competitions and the UEFA Champions League.
Under the guidance of Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid currently hold the 3rd position in the Spanish top league. Additionally, they are on the cusp of securing their place in the next stage of the Champions League, pending a favorable outcome in the group stage.
Atletico Madrid received a boost in their hopes to continue their run in the Champions League's next round following the latest 6 - 0 win over Celtic. Morata scored a double to help his team secure three points from the game.
#16 Antoine Griezmann
Club: Atletico Madrid
Country: France
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 44
Goals: 21
Assists: 8
Image Source: Getty Images
Following his struggles at Barcelona, Antoine Griezmann's return to Atletico Madrid didn't initially appear promising, raising doubts among both the player and his supporters. However, with time, it has become evident that the French professional still has much to offer on the field.
As Atletico Madrid maintains its presence in both domestic and European tournaments, Griezmann remains a vital part of the team, consistently contributing to their efforts.
Griezmann's performance may lead his team to new successes, and his contributions to the France national team could potentially result in one of the tournament favorites lifting the coveted Euro 2024 trophy.
In the recent Champions League showdown versus Celtic, Griezmann shined scoring two goals for Diego Simeone's side. The manager, later on, shared his high praise for the attacker, claiming the 32-year-old is set to be one of the best players in Atleti's history.
#17 Declan Rice
Club: Arsenal
Country: England
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 48
Goals: 6
Assists: 9
Image Source: Getty Images
Declan Rice was a highly sought-after player during the summer transfer window and ultimately made a move to the Premier League giants Arsenal.
As the current season unfolds, the midfielder is proving that he has made the right choice for his career development and the pursuit of trophies.
While Arsenal maintain their impressive run in the Premier League, they are also striving for success in the Champions League, with Rice firmly establishing himself as a key contributor in this journey. His potential for a higher position in the Ballon d'Or rankings could be further enhanced by achieving notable success with his national team in Euro 2024.
The Gunners have already secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16, with Rice definitaly playing a vital role in their upcoming showdowns.
#18 Victor Osimhen
Club: Napoli
Country: Nigeria
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 29
Goals: 16
Assists: 4
Image Source: Getty Images
Victor Osimhen played a significant role in Napoli's Serie A title win last season, marking their return to the top after a considerable hiatus.
In the current season, the defending champions have had a mixed start, securing five victories, three draws, and suffering two defeats, which currently places them in 5th position in the Serie A standings.
Osimhen remains a subject of ongoing transfer speculation, with several top European clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea, displaying substantial interest in securing his services during the January transfer window.
The Nigeria international's latest contribution for Napoli came in the Champions League group stage game versus Braga, where the player scored one of the winning goals for his side.
#19 Leroy Sane
Club: Bayern Munich
Country: Germany
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 39
Goals: 9
Assists: 13
Image Source: Getty Images
The 2023/24 season has kicked off in a promising manner for Leroy Sane, who is thriving under the management of Thomas Tuchel.
The Bundesliga giants are performing admirably, not only in their domestic league but also in the Champions League.
Furthermore, Sane is well-positioned to showcase his skills with the Germany national team in the upcoming Euro 2024, as his country is considered one of the top contenders for the championship title.
#20 Julian Alvarez
Club: Manchester City
Country: Argentina
Club stats in 2023/24:
Games: 50
Goals: 17
Assists: 13
Image Source: Getty Images
Julian Alvarez has been a true sensation for Manchester City in the 2022/23 season, with his performances capturing global acclaim. The youthful forward has demonstrated exceptional composure while representing both the Citizens and the Argentine national team.
Alvarez's role has been crucial in the remarkable success that Guardiola's squad is achieving, both in domestic competitions and on the European stage.
His contributions could also be important in Argentina's run for the Copa America 2024, while a title win could see one of the most decorated young players in the world contending for the Ballon d'Or award.
Who is most likely to win the Ballon d'Or 2024?
As per recent performance trends, Jude Bellingham emerges as the frontrunner for winning the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
The midfielder is currently making a significant impact as a key player for Real Madrid, and his prospects would receive a considerable boost if Los Blancos succeed in clinching the La Liga and Champions League titles.
Bellingham's candidacy for the title of the best player gains further strength if he continues to excel with the England national team and achieves notable success in the Euro 2024 tournament.
Can Messi win the Ballon d'Or 2024?
Messi's performance at Inter Miami may not lead to noteworthy success in the Ballon d'Or rankings.
Nonetheless, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner stands a better chance of reclaiming the prestigious award if his national team, Argentina, lift the Copa America trophy.