For the first time in 20 years the Ballon D’Or will be contested by the best players in the world… and there is no room for either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
The dynamic duo have dominated world football for two decades and now, in the twilights of their sparkling careers they are enjoying their last hurrahs in the United States and Saudi respectively. Messi won a record eighth award last season, edging out Premier League hot shot Erling Braut Haaland, while Ronaldo has picked up five Ballon D’Ors but now it’s time for them to move over and make way for the next generation of megastars.
With no sign of Karim Benzema or Luka Modric, the only other former winners still playing, we’re going to see a new recipient this year and there are a multitude of stars lining up to make their pitch. There are a combined eight players from Manchester City and Arsenal and it is no coincidence that the Premier League 2024 betting odds at SBOTOP predict the Sky Blues and the Gunners to battle it out for the English league title once again.
The prize will be awarded in Paris on 28th October once journalists from the top 100 football countries have cast their votes and last week the 30 man shortlist was drawn up, which includes six England players, among them Jude Bellingham who is among the frontrunners, while Spain’s 17 year old phenomenon Lamine Yamal is also on the list.
Rodri and Vinicius lead the way
So with no Messi, Ronaldo, Benzema or Modric in the running we’re going to see a new winner of the 68th Ballon D’Or and, in my view, the smart money is on Manchester City star Rodri was a dominant force throughout Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign, and has emerged as the best defensive midfielder in world football over the past couple of years. Rodri finished fifth in the 2023 Ballon D’Or and, if he does win this year he will be the first non- attacking player to win it in a generation, though Rodri does weigh in with some crucial goals in the biggest moments.
His biggest challenge will come from Brazil star Vinicius Junior, who had a stellar campaign as Real Madrid won the Primera Division and Champions League last year and the Los Blancos forward will be in the thick of the La Liga 2024 highlights again this time around.
So who else is in with a shout?
Kylian Mbappe can’t be overlooked but he seems set to miss out yet again and that must frustrate him hugely now that Messi and Ronaldo are out of the picture. And then there’s Inter Milan and Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez who won the Capocannoniere last season as he fired I Nerazzurri to the Serie A title, and he also starred in Argentina’s 2024 Copa America triumph.
And my dark horse is Switzerland midfield enforcer Granit Xhaka who brilliantly re-invented himself as a true leader in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga win.
Martinez favourite to keep his award
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper last season and he’s the man to beat again after he performed superbly for club and country. Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League and Argentina picked up more silverware, and Martinez is one of the first names on the team sheet for both.
The stoppers who can challenge Martinez include Spain’s Unai Simon and Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, while the Swiss pair of Gregor Kobel and Yann Sommer have also made the shortlist. There are some fine keepers in the frame but the charismatic Martinez remains the favourite.
And then there’s the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player in world football and last season picked up by Real Madrid’s Bellingham. First awarded in 2018 to Mbappe, this season the trophy nominees include Yamal and PSG’s young star Warren Zaire-Emery. Manchester United have two players on the list, the exciting winger Alejandro Garnacho and midfield discovery Kobbie Mainoo who were both shining lights in a disappointing campaign for the Red Devils, and both emerged as international prospects with Argentina and England.
Two more young stars have caught my eye over the past few months, the first being Real Madrid and Turkey winger Arda Guler. As the Turks wowed fans at Euro 2024 Guler was the star attraction, and that after scoring six goals in ten games for Los Blancos at the end of an injury hit season. This boy has a bright future. And so does Manchester City and Brazil star Savinho. The young striker’s outstanding showing in Girona’s stellar season last year earned him international recognition and a move to the English champions.
With 19 goal involvements for Girona and an international goal already under his belt this 20 year old has the world at his feet.
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