Ballon d’Or 2024: Pundits Share Their Predictions for Top Footballers

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday in Paris, where the world’s top male and female footballers will be recognized. This follows Lionel Messi’s record eighth Ballon d’Or win in 2023. For the first time since 2003, neither Lionel Messi, an eight-time recipient, nor Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner, appear on the shortlist. The absence of Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, the only other active former winners, ensures that a new player will claim the men’s award. In the women’s competition, Aitana Bonmati, a midfielder for Barcelona and a Spain World Cup winner, seeks to secure the award for the second consecutive year. A panel of journalists from the top 100 nations in the Fifa men’s rankings casts votes for the men’s award. The recipient of the women’s award is determined by a jury composed of women’s journalists representing the leading 50 countries in the Fifa women’s rankings. BBC Sport has invited experts to share their predictions for the winners. Rodri is considered a strong contender, having contributed to Manchester City’s record fourth consecutive Premier League title and Spain’s European Championship victory. His Manchester City colleague, Erling Haaland, is also among the nominees, while Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham are anticipated to feature prominently following their La Liga and Champions League double. European football journalist and broadcaster Mina Rzouki stated: “Why would you give it to Rodri?” “I understand he has had a great season and been the difference-maker for Manchester City. But he wasn’t the standout player for Spain.” “Vinicius Jr made a difference in every important match in the Champions League, so surely you should go for him. He was the difference between them winning and losing.” “Rodri was just a part of a great team. Rodri deserved it last year because he was the difference between them winning and losing and I was upset he didn’t get it or come close to it.” “This year I would take a difference-maker and that is Vinicius or his Real Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham. My pick is Vinicius.” A segment from The Football News Show discussed “Why Manchester City’s ‘influential’ Rodri is Ballon d’Or contender.” French football journalist Julien Laurens commented: “Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world but I would give the Ballon d’Or to Rodri.” “Rodri has been as important for his team as Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham have been for their team. That is what great players do.” “Rodri has been the best player in the world for two seasons now. I know he isn’t in an offensive position – he doesn’t score goals, do dribbles or tricks. ” “But he is the most intelligent player in his position in the world. He is super decisive and the last few years he has been outstanding for club and country. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else.” Belgium football expert Kristof Terreur remarked: “It is the end of the star era and you now have the new stars who haven’t really performed at the highest level. I lean towards Vinicius Jr.” Spanish football expert Guillem Balague stated: “Rodri has done everything he has needed at club and international level.” “He plays the role that doesn’t usually get accolades but everyone recognises the value of it.” “When Rodri got injured at half-time of the Euros final, the feeling in the stands, among the pundits, even the players, was ‘what a gap to fill’. That tells you everyone realises he is the player who dictates the play. Everyone looks up to his leadership as well.” “It is a great opportunity to give an award to an unsung hero. He will be top three but probably won’t win it as people tend to favour the players who look good on the ball and are constantly in the highlights for the spectacular.” Another segment from The Football News Show explored “How Jude Bellingham rose to Ballon d’Or contention at Real Madrid.” The Football News Show also featured a discussion on “Why ‘decisive’ Vinicius Jr is the Ballon d’Or favourite.” Among the nominees for the women’s award are three of the four previous winners since the Ballon d’Or began recognizing female footballers in 2018: Bonmati (2023), her Spain team-mate Alexia Putellas (2021, 2022), and Norway’s Ada Hegerberg (2018). Additionally, five members of the United States’ Olympic gold medal-winning squad have received nominations: Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan, Sophia Smith, and Alyssa Naeher. Balague commented on Bonmati: “Aitana Bonmati controls the game, has goals, assists, personality. She is growing fantastically well with a team who have taken women’s football to a new dimension.” “She has the high standards any midfielder should aspire to, but, because the Ballon d’Or is not just about the football, she also represents the club and national side very well.” “She is a reference for kids on the stands and kids in the game. She is a great representative for football.” Former England midfielder Fara Williams stated: “I would like to see Lindsey Horan in the top five, but my favourite would be Bonmati. It’s her IQ – her game understanding is right up there with the very best.” “She controls the midfield for Barcelona – really gets them going. She doesn’t just control it, but she adds goals and assist to her game. When you’re a midfielder and you have those attributes, you’re really key.” Bay FC defender Jen Beattie offered her pick: “I’m going for Trinity Rodman. She has had an unbelievable season. What she did at the Olympics was incredible.” “She is the perfect combination between pace and technical ability. The speed she gets up to on the field is incredible.” “She really deserves it. What she has done for club and country – that is what puts you in the mix for Ballon d’Or. She has done it on all levels.” Former England forward Ellen White said: “Trinity Rodman could win it, or Sophia Smith or Aitana Bonmati.” “But I want to give a shout out to Barbra Banda. She had an amazing Olympics, with successive hat-tricks. She is the second top goalscorer in the NWSL with 13 goals in 20 games.” The Football News Show also highlighted “Fara Williams hails Ballon d’Or contender Aitana Bonmati’s IQ.”