The Ballon d’Or looks to be heading one man’s way…
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has already been leaked ahead of the official ceremony on the 28th of October.
With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now firmly out of the picture, the race for the greatest individual prize in football is more open than ever.
The likes of Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe will all believe they have a chance of winning the award but with the 23/24 season now wrapped up, two favourites have emerged.
After his crowning performances at Euro 2024, Rodri entered the frame alongside Vinicius Jr who shone for Real Madrid in the Champions League with both heavily tipped to lift the trophy next month.
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The Manchester City midfielder looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after going off injured in City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
David Ornstein confirmed the news, writing: “Rodri is set to be ruled out for a significant period of time after suffering a serious knee injury in the Premier League draw with Arsenal and there are fears he may not return this season.”
Rodri scored eight goals and provided nine assists in City’s Premier League winning campaign, but according to MARCA, the trophy will be heading in Vini’s direction.
The MARCA cover on the 23rd of September reads: “All roads lead to Gold for Vini Jr.”
The report states that the Brazilian ‘already knows’ he’s won the award.
Vini bagged 15 times in La Liga last season and scored the goal that sealed Madrid’s historic 15th Champions League title after being played in by Bellingham.
Vini Jr- Getty
Men’s Ballon d’Or award shortlist in full
Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid
Lautaro Martinez – Inter
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen
Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid
William Saliba – Arsenal
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Rodri – Man City
Declan Rice – Arsenal
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Cole Palmer – Chelsea
Vitinha – PSG
Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid
Martin Odegaard – Arsenal
Dani Olmo – Barcelona
Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
Mats Hummels – Roma
Erling Haaland – Man City
Nicolas Williams – Athletic Bilbao
Granit Xhaka – Bayer Leverkusen
Artem Dovbik – Roma
Toni Kroos – Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
Phil Foden – Man City
Ruben Dias – Man City
Federico Valverde – Real Madrid
Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa
