France Football, the prestigious organization behind the Ballon d’Or awards, has officially revealed the nominees for the 2024 edition of the coveted prize. As expected, the list includes some of football’s biggest stars, such as Manchester City’s prolific striker Erling Haaland, Real Madrid’s rising sensation Jude Bellingham, and Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) and Real Madrid-linked forward Kylian Mbappé. Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid is considered the frontrunner for the prestigious award, after an outstanding season in which he demonstrated his exceptional skill and consistency.
A notable omission from this year’s shortlist is Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, the current Ballon d’Or holder and record eight-time winner. After dominating the football world for years and cementing his place in history, Messi’s absence marks a significant moment in the awards’ history.
The Ballon d’Or, regarded as the highest individual honor in football, celebrates players’ performances across both club and international levels. This year’s list reflects a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, offering a glimpse into the future of football.
Full list of 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Phil Foden (Manchester City)
- Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
- Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
- Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Artem Dovbik (Roma)
- Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
- Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig/Barcelona)
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
- Rodri (Manchester City)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Vitinha (PSG)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
- William Saliba (Arsenal)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
- Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
- Kylian Mbappé (PSG/Real Madrid)
- Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
With the 2024 Ballon d’Or race wide open, fans and analysts alike are keenly awaiting the announcement of the winner, as players from Europe’s top clubs vie for the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade.
