After a season in which he finally won the World Cup, Lionel Messi claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or by winning the 2023 award in Paris last October. However, the world of football has long since moved on, and now the debate about who will be the winner in 2024 is heating up.
It was a tight race. Apart from the usual ups and downs of domestic championships, this year saw most of the world’s best players compete in international tournaments, including the European Championship and this summer’s Copa America.
After a year defined by a battle between Messi’s tournament success for Argentina and Erling Holland’s seasonal dominance at Manchester City, how much of an impact will this international competition have on the 2024 Ballon d’Or race? Also, could we see the first winner to play club football outside of Europe as more stars move to emerging leagues elsewhere in the world?
GOAL has been there every step of the way, tracking the contenders for football’s most prestigious individual award. So who do we think will emerge victorious? Join us for the latest – and final – update of our Ballon d’Or 2024: Power Rankings.
20. Rodrygo (Real Madrid) ⬇️
In 2023-24: 19 goals, nine assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.
Rodrygo’s form dipped after a strong end to 2023, and he was overshadowed by other stars at Santiago Bernabeu. Nevertheless, his goals in both legs of Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City reminded Ballon d’Or voters of his talents. Unfortunately, his performance in the final at Wembley was underwhelming, and he also had a forgettable Copa America, failing to score in four games as Brazil exited in the quarter-finals.
19. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) ⬇️
In 2023-24: 21 goals, 15 assists.
Contrary to expectations, Arsenal thrived in 2023-24, with Saka leading the charge as they sought to end their Premier League title drought. Despite starting 2024 in impressive form, the Gunners fell short in their title race against Manchester City and exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage. Saka’s performances at Euro 2024 were noteworthy, especially his assist for Jude Bellingham and his role in England’s quarter-final win over Switzerland. He was a reliable player for England throughout the tournament.
18. Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig) 🆕
In 2023-24: 13 goals, seven assists. Won Euro 2024 & DFL-Supercup.
Olmo played a crucial role for Spain in Euro 2024, scoring three goals and providing two assists, earning a share of the Golden Boot. Despite an injury-affected season at Leipzig, he delivered a standout performance in the DFL-Supercup final with a hat-trick. His Euro 2024 heroics are likely to secure him a high-profile move soon.
17. Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) 🆕
In 2023-24: 21 goals, 13 assists. Won Copa America, Premier League, Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.
Alvarez added four more trophies to his collection, contributing significantly to Manchester City’s successes. While his form for Argentina was less spectacular, he still scored twice as they defended their Copa America title.
16. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) ↔️
In 2023-24: 28 goals, 17 assists. Won Copa America & Leagues Cup.
Messi became the first player outside Europe to win the Ballon d’Or in 2023. Despite Miami’s early exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Messi has been in excellent form and led Argentina to another Copa America victory. His personal performance in the tournament was mixed, but he remains a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or.
15. Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid) 🆕
In 2023-24: 28 goals, six assists. Won Euro 2024.
Morata had a strong start to the season, though his form waned as Atletico Madrid struggled. As captain, he led Spain to Euro 2024 victory, providing a pivotal presence despite scoring only once in the tournament.
14. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) 🆕
In 2023-24: 27 clean sheets. Won Copa America.
Martinez played a key role in Aston Villa’s rise to the Premier League’s top four and their qualification for the Champions League. He was crucial in Argentina’s Copa America win, particularly in the quarter-finals, showcasing his penalty-saving prowess.
13. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) ⬇️
In 2023-24: 45 goals, six assists. Won Premier League, Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.
Haaland had a prolific goal-scoring season but faced some forgettable performances, including the FA Cup final. His Champions League exit at the quarter-finals and Norway’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024 have likely hurt his Ballon d’Or chances.
12. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) ⬆️
In 2023-24: 10 goals, 18 assists. Won Euro 2024.
Yamal emerged as Barcelona’s standout player at just 16, breaking records in La Liga. His performances at Euro 2024 earned him the Young Player of the Tournament prize, solidifying his status as a rising star.
11. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) ⬇️
In 2023-24: 21 goals, 21 assists. Won Bundesliga & DFB-Pokal.
Wirtz played a crucial role in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic run, helping them secure their first-ever Bundesliga title and a DFB-Pokal triumph. Despite missing out on the Europa League, his performances were exceptional, and he contributed significantly to Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign.
10. Nico Williams (Athletic Club) ⬆️
In 2023-24: 11 goals, 25 assists. Won Euro 2024 & Copa del Rey.
Williams was one of La Liga’s most dangerous attackers, playing a pivotal role in Athletic Club’s Copa del Rey win. His electrifying performances continued into Euro 2024, where he scored in the final, boosting his profile significantly.
9. Phil Foden (Manchester City) ⬇️
In 2023-24: 28 goals, 12 assists. Won Premier League, Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.
Foden had his best season yet, stepping up in the absence of De Bruyne and Haaland. Despite City’s Champions League exit, he was named Premier League Player of the Year. However, his impact at Euro 2024 was limited.
8. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) ⬇️
In 2023-24: 52 goals, 14 assists.
Kane’s move to Bayern was meant to end his trophy drought, but the Bavarians finished without silverware. Despite his prolific goal-scoring, his exertions affected his Euro 2024 performances, though he shared the Golden Boot.
7. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) ⬇️
In 2023-24: 52 goals, 21 assists. Won Ligue 1, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.
Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid marked the end of his PSG era. Despite domestic success, his Champions League and Euro 2024 campaigns ended in disappointment, impacting his Ballon d’Or chances.
6. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) ↔️
In 2023-24: One goal, 12 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.
Kroos had a stellar final season, playing a key role in Real Madrid’s successes. His performances at Euro 2024, despite Germany’s quarter-final exit, showcased his enduring quality.
5. Lautaro Martinez (Inter) ⬆️
In 2023-24: 35 goals, eight assists. Won Copa America, Serie A & Supercoppa Italiana.
Lautaro had a remarkable season, leading Inter to the Serie A title and winning the Copa America Golden Boot. His decisive performances in crucial matches have elevated his status.
4. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) ⬆️
In 2023-24: Seven goals, eight assists, 21 clean sheets. Won Euro 2024, Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.
Carvajal was instrumental in Real Madrid’s and Spain’s successes, scoring key goals and providing defensive stability. His trophy haul and impactful performances make him a strong Ballon d’Or contender.
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) ⬇️
In 2023-24: 27 goals, 17 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.
Bellingham had a sensational start at Real Madrid, scoring important goals and delivering standout performances. His contributions at Euro 2024 were crucial, though England’s final defeat may affect his Ballon d’Or chances.
2. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) ↔️
In 2023-24: 26 goals, 12 assists. Won Champions League, La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.
Despite injuries, Vinicius excelled, scoring a hat-trick in the Spanish Super Cup final and shining in the Champions League. His Copa America suspension hurt Brazil, but his club performances keep him in contention.
1. Rodri (Manchester City) ⬆️
In 2023-24: 12 goals, 15 assists. Won Euro 2024, Premier League, Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.
Rodri’s consistency and crucial goals for Manchester City and Spain have made him a standout candidate. His Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2024, despite missing part of the final, solidifies his Ballon d’Or prospects.