A fresh ranking has highlighted the top contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or, with a strong showing from Euro and Copa America stars, according to sportskeeda.com.
Wave gave detailed account of Spain’s triumphant victory at Euro 2024, thus propelling some of their key players into the race for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s successful defense of their Copa America title has placed their captain, Lionel Messi, among the top five contenders for the award.
Here are the current favorites to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or:
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami/Argentina)
Messi has become the first Major League Soccer (MLS) player to remain a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. He has scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in just 12 MLS appearances this season. Additionally, he contributed to Argentina’s Copa America triumph with one goal and one assist in five matches. Messi has won the award a record eight times, and he is also the current holder of the Ballon d’Or, having won its most recent edition in 2023.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/Argentina)
Inter Milan’s star striker, Lautaro Martinez, scored 24 goals in Serie A last season, leading his team to a league title. He also netted five goals during Argentina’s Copa America campaign, securing his third international trophy.
Bellingham scored seven decisive goals for both club and country last season, earning Real Madrid up to 10 points with his late strikes. The England international has emerged as one of the top players in world football and is a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or.
Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)
Rodri has been outstanding over the past year, playing a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, where he was named ‘Player of the Tournament.’ He also helped Manchester City secure the Premier League title last season and is among the leading contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
Vinicius Junior has been a key player for Real Madrid, playing a vital role in their UEFA Champions League victory last season. He scored six goals and provided four assists during the competition, including a crucial goal in the final, making him the current frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or.
