Following a standout performance against Bolivia on Tuesday night, Lionel Messi has named his pick for the upcoming 2024 Ballon d’Or. As the award ceremony approaches, anticipation builds over who will claim football’s most prestigious individual honour.
Messi, the current Ballon d’Or holder, has unsurprisingly endorsed his Argentina teammate Lautaro Martínez as the leading contender.
“He’s had a spectacular year. He scored in the [Copa America] final and was the top scorer. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else,” Messi told reporters after Argentina’s 6-0 victory over Bolivia, as reported by La Gazzetta via Bolavip.
With the ceremony set for late October, many have their eyes on other top contenders, such as Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior and Manchester City’s Rodri.
According to Eurosport, Vinícius had an outstanding season for Madrid, netting 24 goals across all competitions and playing a crucial role in their La Liga and UEFA Champions League success. Meanwhile, Rodri’s contributions were instrumental for Manchester City in securing another Premier League title, and he played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee list is notably dominated by players who excelled at Euro 2024. The list includes 30 nominees in both the men’s and women’s categories. The highly anticipated ceremony will take place on October 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Men’s Nominations List
Jude Bellingham (England/Real Madrid)
Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey/Inter Milan)
Dani Carvajal (Spain/Real Madrid)
Ruben Dias (Portugal/Manchester City)
Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine/Girona)
Phil Foden (England/Manchester City)
Alex Grimaldo (Spain/Bayer Leverkusen)
Erling Haaland (Norway/Manchester City)
Mats Hummels (Germany/Borussia Dortmund)
Harry Kane (England/Bayern Munich)
Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/Atalanta)
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina/Aston Villa)
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina/Inter Milan)
Kylian Mbappe (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
Martin Odegaard (Norway/Arsenal)
Dani Olmo (Spain/RB Leipzig)
Cole Palmer (England/Chelsea)
Declan Rice (England/Arsenal)
Rodri (Spain/Manchester City)
Antonio Rudiger (Germany/Real Madrid)
Bukayo Saka (England/Arsenal)
William Saliba (France/Arsenal)
Federico Valverde (Uruguay/Real Madrid)
Vinicius Junior (Brazil/Real Madrid)
Vitinha (Portugal/Paris Saint-Germain)
Nico Williams (Spain/Athletic Bilbao)
Florian Wirtz (Germany/Bayer Leverkusen)
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland/Bayer Leverkusen)
Lamine Yamal (Spain/Barcelona)
Women’s Nominations List
Barba Banda (Zambia/Orlando Pride )
Aitana Bonmati (Spain/Barcelona)
Lucy Bronze (England/Barcelona)
Mariona Caldentey (Spain/Barcelona)
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi/Lyon)
Grace Geyoro (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
Manuela Giugliano (Italy/Roma)
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway/Barcelona)
Patricia Guijarro (Spain/Barcelona)
Giulia Gwinn (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Yui Hasegawa (Japan/Manchester City)
Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Lyon)
Lauren Hemp (England/Manchester City)
Lindsey Horan (United States/Lyon)
Lauren James (England/Chelsea)
Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
Alyssa Naeher (United States /Chicago Red Stars)
Sjoeke Nusken (Germany/Chelsea)
Ewa Pajor (Poland/Barcelona)
Salma Paralluelo (Spain/Barcelona)
Gabi Portilho (Brazil/Corinthians)
Alexia Putellas (Spain/Barcelona)
Mayra Ramirez (Colombia/Chelsea)
Trinity Rodman (United States/Washington Spirit)
Lea Schuller (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Khadija Shaw (Jamaica/Manchester City)
Sophia Smith (United States/Portland Thorns)
Mallory Swanson (United States/Chicago Red Stars)
Tarciane (Brazil/Houston Dash)
Glodis Viggosdottir (Iceland/Bayern Munich)
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