Vinicius Jr, Rodri, and Jude Bellingham headline the 2024 Ballon d’Or contenders, signalling a possible shift in the post-Messi and Ronaldo era.
According to France Football, Vinicius Jr. has emerged as a favourite as the award ceremony approaches. This shift follows a year in which neither Messi nor Ronaldo featured among the nominees for the first time since 2003.
The competition heats up with Manchester City’s Rodri and Real Madrid’s Bellingham, each bringing critical performances for their clubs and countries. Vinicius Jr made a strong case by leading Real Madrid to key victories, including scoring the decisive goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, Rodri’s influence as a defensive midfielder has been pivotal for Manchester City, steering them through an unbeaten run and crucial matches without conceding defeats in the UEFA Champions League. His contributions helped Spain clinch the UEFA Euro 2024, amplifying his candidacy for the Ballon d’Or.
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Jude Bellingham also made significant strides, proving instrumental for Real Madrid across competitions and contributing substantially to England’s campaign in the UEFA Euro 2024.
This year’s Ballon d’Or, set for October 28 at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, follows a legacy dating back to 1956. Legends such as Eusebio and Zinedine Zidane are among the past winners. The 2024 ceremony, jointly organized by France Football, UEFA, and Groupe Amaury, will not only honour individual excellence but also mark a new chapter in football history.
