The Ballon d’Or is already here and, on Monday, October 28, everyone will keenly wait for the announcement of this year’s winner in Paris. While Lionel Messi took the honor last year following his World Cup success, this year it is a completely new generation of players competing among themselves. With a record of domestic and international success, this year’s edition is one of the unpredictable ones.

The Ballon d’Or was founded in 1956 by France Football Magazine as the most prestigious individual honor in football. The prize is awarded annually to the player determined to have performed the best in the last year. Candidates are chosen based on individual skill, teamwork, and off-field influence. The Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year Awards merged in 2010, sharing votes between journalists, coaches, and captains.

However, the partnership ended in 2016, and France Football now solely determines the winner with the help of international journalists. The most successful players at the award are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have defined an era of rivalry through their historic dominance. Messi holds a record eight Ballon d’Ors, while Ronaldo has five, each representing a different quality in football brilliance.

2024 Ballon d’Or Showdown: Bellingham, Rodri, or Vinicius Jr. – Who will claim the ultimate prize?

1. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

He is one of the favorites for the Ballon d’Or with 27 goals and 17 assists. Bellingham won the Champions League, La Liga, and Supercopa de Espana in the 2023-2024 season. No one could have possibly seen the scale at which Jude Bellingham would affect his new club when he joined Real Madrid. He was a comparison to legends like Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jude Bellingham became the heart and soul of Madrid’s midfield, scoring vital goals and steering his team to multiple titles. Injuries and suspensions played a little havoc on Bellingham’s campaign during the early phase of 2024. However, he came through strongly, especially in the latter phase, when the Champions League run of Real Madrid kept him on a high tide.

His service did not come to an end there, though at Euro 2024, he was integral to the whole journey of England, scoring the iconic overhead kick that left them going into the competition. Despite coming up short internationally, Bellingham’s club accomplishments are remarkable. Winning the Champions League with Real Madrid is often a significant factor in Ballon d’Or voting, and his goal-scoring record for a midfielder has been outstanding.

2. Rodri (Manchester City)

With 12 goals and 15 assists, he is not far behind the other challengers. Won Euro 2024, Premier League, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup. Rodri has been a vital player for club and country. His consistent performances in the midfield helped in City’s undefeated run. His goals and assists helped Pep Guardiola’s squad claim a league title and other trophies. What makes Rodri’s case exceptional is that he played an important role in Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign and was awarded Player of the Tournament. 

Despite being forced off due to injury in the final, his contributions were unparalleled throughout the competition. Rodri is a strong contender due to his domestic and international successes. The Ballon d’Or usually favors players who excel internationally, and Rodri’s performance at Euro 2024 will boost his chances. However, the competition is tough, and it remains to be seen if voters will prioritize his defensive skills over the flashy goal-scoring stats of his rivals.

3. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

At 26 strikes and 12 assists, he became one of the serious contenders for the Ballon d’Or. In overcoming the early-season injuries he had sustained, Vinicius Jr. emerged as one of the best in the class. With Karim Benzema leaving, he showed himself to be the guy to step up as the next forward. He played a key role in Madrid’s Champions League run. He also scored a hat trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.

He shocked everybody by scoring a crucial Wembley goal in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich and then in the final against Borussia Dortmund. His time with Brazil, however, would be disappointing as he would be kept out of the quarterfinals of the Copa America due to suspension which made Brazil lose to Uruguay on penalties. Looking ahead to the Paris ceremony, the competition seems to be between Rodri’s consistency and the explosive moments from Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.

While each player has a unique case, in the end, Rodri’s all-around displays for club and country give him good reason to win the Ballon d’Or. But if voters prefer attacking brilliance, Vinicius or Bellingham could be at the very top of that list. What are your predictions for the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or? Share in the comments below.