The favourites to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or

The winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will be named this evening, as football’s finest gather for a glitzy ceremony in Paris.

There will be a new name on the trophy this year, after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were not included on the final shortlist for the first time in 21 years.

Who will take home the prize tonight? We’ve looked at the frontrunners.

Ranking the five favourites to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or

Dani Carvajal – 40/1

Trent Alexander-Arnold last week said he wanted to be the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or. Well, Dani Carvajal is aiming to take that title tonight.

It might be a long shot, but few players enjoyed as successful a season as the Spanish right-back in 2023/24. The 32-year-old was named in the La Liga Team of the Season after helping Real Madrid to title success, before scoring in the Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.

Carvajal’s goal was one of six scored in all competitions, more than he managed in the previous nine seasons combined. He added to a stellar season with Real Madrid by winning Euro 2024 with Spain, where he scored in the group-stage win over Croatia.

Lamine Yamal – 40/1

This year might come too soon for Lamine Yamal but there’s little doubt the teenager is a Ballon d’Or winner in waiting.

After a breakout season with Barcelona, Yamal set new records as the European Championship’s youngest player and goalscorer at Euro 2024. The 17-year-old was an instrumental part of Spain’s success at the tournament, which he led for assists (4) and key passes (19).

His stunning semi-final goal against France will live long in the memory, as Yamal was named the Young Player of the Tournament. Arguably, already, one of the best wingers in the world.

Remembering when a 21-year-old Ronaldo Nazario won the Ballon d’Or

Jude Bellingham – 16/1

Jude Bellingham’s dream debut season at Real Madrid ended in double success, as Los Blancos claimed La Liga and Champions League triumphs.

The midfielder’s instant impact saw him score 23 goals in all competitions to earn the La Liga Player of the Season and Champions League Young Player of the Season awards for 2023/24.

Bellingham delivered in big moments, including stoppage-time winners in each of the season’s El Clásio contests against Barcelona and an outrageous 95th-minute overhead kick to rescue England against Slovakia at Euro 2024. He scored twice in that latter tournament as England reached the final.

Rodri – 9/2

Rodri’s recognition as the world’s best defensive midfielder has become widespread, such has been his influence on club and country.

A fourth Premier League title in a row was claimed with Manchester City in 2023/24, alongside the Club World Cup where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s outstanding player.

It is his displays at Euro 2024 that have placed Rodri in contention, however, where he was adjudged the tournament’s finest footballer in Spain’s summer success. Across the last 18 months, Rodri has won eight trophies and claimed Player of the Tournament awards in the Champions League (2022/23), Club World Cup, UEFA Nations League and European Championship.

Vinicius Junior – 1/8

Vinicius Junior is the odds-on favourite to win the Ballon d’Or this evening.

The Brazilian scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists for Real Madrid in 2023/24, including a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side won a treble of trophies.

His record in the Champions League is remarkable and he was named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season for 2023/24. Vinicius scored twice in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich and again in the final, as Los Blancos were crowned European champions for a record-extending 15th time.

Read – When is the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner announced? 

See more – Cristiano Ronaldo makes Ballon d’Or prediction

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