By Kato Jamil
Football’s elite will tonight converge at the Theatre de Chatelet in Paris, France, for the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
After a season of hard work, endurance, tears, near misses and relief, the players who shone brightest will be recognised.
A total of eight awards will be dished out tonight, including the men’s and women’s awards, the Kopa Trophy, the men’s and women’s coaches of the year, the club of the year and the Gerd Muller trophy.
Final 2024 Ballon d’Or Rankings
Nonetheless, Carvajal, who is currently injured, did it all for club and country. He scored in the Champions League final to become one of the few with six titles. He then scored in Germany as he played an important part in Luis de la Fuente’s backline.
4. Lautaro Martinez – Inter Milan/Argentina
As far as recommendations go, Lautaro Martinez couldn’t get a better one than one from Lionel Messi, the record holder.
Martinez made Serie A his playground last season. He won the Capocannoniere, beating his closest challenger by eight goals to help Inter Milan win the Scudetto.
He then came alive for Argentina at the Copa America, scoring crucial goals, including the winner in the final, as Albiceleste successfully retained their trophy.
The 27-year-old will be pegged back by his costly miss that knocked Simone Inzaghi’s men out of the Champions League in the round of 16, but with 35 goals, eight assists, two top scorer awards and three trophies, not many players can boast of a more successful season.
At a time like this last year, everyone was convinced that Bellingham would win this award. The determined English star had just arrived in Madrid and, despite being a midfielder, was scoring with reckless abandon.
His case for the award took a major hit after he failed to rise to the occasion in Real Madrid’s run-up to their Champions League win.
He only assisted once in the Round of 16 and was hooked off in the semi-final and final. Simply put, he wasn’t Madrid’s best player in a competition that greatly determines who takes home this award.
He slightly redeemed himself with crucial goals for England at Euro 2024, but the final loss to Spain took away his last bargaining chip. At 21, Bellingham would take solace in a podium finish after a glittering start to life at the Bernabeu.
2. Rodri – Manchester City/Spain
Name a better team player than Rodri; we will wait. Rodri has built his reputation under Pep Guardiola as the conductor who thrives in silence.
There is a popular saying that if you watch a game, you won’t see the kind of impact defensive midfielders like Rodri have. But if you watch them (players like Rodri), then you will see the game.
With a tucked-in shirt, Rodri often glides his way around the centre of the pitch, dictating how fast or quick he wants the play to go.
TUKO.co.ke has done a comprehensive piece on why Rodri deserves to win the award, and his 12 goals and 15 assists have a lot to do with that.
1. Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid/Brazil
Unfortunately for Rodri, there is another player who perhaps did more than him last season. Vinicius Junior was the face of Real Madrid’s dominance en route to winning the Champions League.
He came alive in the second part of the season, finishing with 26 goals and 12 assists. He was the best impact player in Europe, playing a decisive role in the Champions League semi-finals and final.
His tournament with Brazil at the Copa America wasn’t that great, a factor that might into play considering Rodri’s run at Euro 2024. But after winning the Champions League, there is a general consensus that the pacy Brazilian winger is in line to become one of the youngest winners of the award ever.
Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or Advice To Vinicius
Swift News also reported that Vinicius had shared insights into the valuable Ballon d’Or advice he received from legendary Brazilian forward Ronaldo Nazario.
Reflecting on his quest for the prestigious award, Vini recounted a piece of wisdom imparted by Ronaldo, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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