The top 20 contenders for the 2024 Ballon d'Or have been ranked (2024)

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for a record eighth time in 2023. The legendary forward received the award off the back of an unforgettable year in which he finally won the World Cup with Argentina. Erling Haaland finished second but wasn't able to win the accolade for the first time in his career, despite having won the treble with Manchester City.

At the age of 36 and now playing in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, it currently seems that Messi is unlikely to add a ninth to his collection. So, for the first time in years, it appears the race is wide open for anyone to come in and claim the Ballon d'Or.

In the past, the prestigous individual accolade was based on the performance of footballers across a calendar year. However, this time around – for the second time in the award's history – the votes are based on the results of the season, meaning that in 2023, Messi won for his efforts - starting on August 1, 2022 and ending on July 31, 2023. We've listed the 20 most likely candidates for the 2024 Ballon d'Or based on how they've performed in the 2023-24 season.

Ranking factors

We've determined the order based on the following:

• Goals scored
• Assists
• Clean sheets (if defensive-minded)
• Trophies won/challenging for
• Big moments in 2023-24
• General form

20 Lautaro Martinez

Inter Milan and Argentina

Going purely off league form so far in the 2023-24 season, there are very few across the globe who have played better football than Martinez this term. With 24 Serie A goals and six assists to his name, the Argentine helped Inter Milan secure a 30th league title, culminating with a win over arch-rivals AC Milan.

Unfortunately, though, his woeful penalty miss sent Inter crashing out of the Champions League, harming his position as a result. There can be no denying that the 26-year-old has been in the form of his life, though, giving him an outside chance of winning the coveted golden ball.

19 Martin Odegaard

Arsenal and Norway

The Arsenal skipper has gone from a 16-year-old wonderkid with the world at his feet to a genuinely world-class player who might be the best the Premier League has to offer in his position. Much of the Gunners' recent evolution is down to the example that Martin Odegaard sets at the heart of Mikel Arteta's team.

Not only has he led by example, but he has also provided plenty of end product. With 20 goal contributions this campaign, the Norwegian superstar has fans running out of superlatives for him. While he narrowly missed out on lifting the Premier League trophy with Arsenal, there's no denying that he's one of the world's best playmakers right now.

18 Cristiano Ronaldo

Al-Nassr and Portugal

It's unlikely that Ronaldo will be in the running for the next Ballon d'Or. After all, he didn't even make the final 30 shortlist last time out. But it would still be foolish to ever rule out the five-time winner completely.

After all, he has enjoyed a strong year in the ever-strengthening Saudi Pro League season, having bagged 44 goals for Al-Nassr throughout 2023. What's more, Ronaldo continues to score goals for Portugal – netting 10 times for his nation over the year. This tally of 54 strikes means he scored more goals in 2023 than any other player. If the veteran superstar can lead his nation to glory at Euro 2024, he will inevitably shoot up this list.

17 Bukayo Saka

Arsenal and England

Bukayo Saka has enjoyed a fine season with the Gunners and topped the charts for both goals (20) and assists (14) among his teammates. The Englishman's quality ensured Arsenal chased Manchester City until the last day of the 2023-24 campaign, while he also performed well in the Champions League with seven-goal contributions in his first seven games at that level.

He may still only be 22 years old, but Saka has already established himself as one of the best wingers in the world. If he can help inspire England to glory at Euro 2024, he will be a strong contender for the most prestigious individual award in world football.

16 Declan Rice

Arsenal and England

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It's not often that you get a £100m signing that everybody agrees was good value for money, but Rice has been so good for Arsenal that it almost feels like they underpaid for the former West Ham United star. The defensive midfielder was the driving force behind the Gunners' title charge.

Not only has he brought steel to the middle of the park for Mikel Arteta's side, but Rice has also delivered more goals and assists than ever before in his career. The Englishman has been vital to the club's domestic and European exploits, helping the Gunners reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.

15 Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City and Belgium

One of the best players the Premier League has ever seen, Kevin De Bruyne is a player who would be higher on this list based on pure talent. The Belgian can play any pass he wants with ease and is a game-changer any time he steps onto the pitch.

Unfortunately for the 32-year-old, the last part of that sentence has been a rare occurrence this campaign. De Bruyne has been hit by injury problems throughout the season, limiting his playing time and forcing other players to step up in his absence. Despite that, the assist machine is still more than worthy of a place in the top 20. He also has the talent to climb much further should he stay fit for the remainder of the calendar year.

14 Eduardo Camavinga

Real Madrid and France

After helping Real Madrid become champions of Europe for a record-breaking 15th time, Eduardo Camavinga (who was one of Los Blancos' standout performers against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final) now finds himself with an outside chance of winning the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The 21-year-old, who can play in midfield or at left-back, is one of the two best young players in world football right now.

As France are among the favourites to win Euro 2024, Camavinga ending the year as the Ballon d'Or winner suddenly feels like a possibility. However, there are still 13 players above him as things stand.

13 Lionel Messi

Inter Miami and Argentina

Much like Ronaldo, Messi is another aging great who may well be past his prime but could potentially keep himself in the running with another brilliant season. The former Barcelona man scored 11 goals and five assists in his first 14 Inter Miami outings, also winning the Leagues Cup before the season ended (the 2024 MLS season did not start until February). The little magician has continued that form into the new campaign.

On top of that, he will hope to win more silverware with Argentina in the summer as they look to defend their Copa America title. And while he probably won't be in the running in the weeks leading up to the ceremony, right now Messi is the reigning champion, so he deserves his spot in the top 20. He also tipped two names as possible future winners, telling the press:

12 Rodrygo

Real Madrid and Brazil

The young Brazilian often gets overlooked because of the quality of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr but make no mistake: Rodrygo is just as important a piece in Carlo Ancelotti's puzzle as anyone else. The 23-year-old is on course to match his goals and assists tally from last season, which was his most productive season to date.

Having been integral in leading Los Blancos to another La Liga title, the impressive winger caught the eye during the Champions League semi-final, just like he did back in 2022 when he scored two goals in extra time to help Madrid knock out Manchester City. Now a two-time Champions League winner, it's about time the South American got more recognition and respect.

11 Erling Haaland

Manchester City and Norway

See Also

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There are plenty who felt Haaland should have been crowned the winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or, but even his 52 goals in all competitions – as City won the treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup – weren't enough to pip Messi to the post.

He did at least win the Gerd Muller Trophy for best goalscorer and, with the Argentine probably out of the way, the Citizens' forward is a front-runner for the next award. However, he's not quite performing at his goal-every-game standard this term, so he doesn't rank any higher on our list for now. But more trophies feel inevitable for Man City later in the season, so you can't rule out the Norwegian just yet.

10 Dani Carvajal

Real Madrid and Spain

Big moments count big time when it comes to the Ballon d'Or, and it was Dani Carvajal who scored Real Madrid's crucial first goal against Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final, heading home from Toni Kroos' cross. The 32-year-old wasn't previously among the top 20 candidates prior to the final at Wembley, but he now finds himself in the top 10.

If Carvajal also plays an instrumental role for Spain at Euro 2024 then it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Carvajal will become the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to win the Ballon d'Or.

9 Florian Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen and Germany

What a season it's been for Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen. From relegation candidates when the Spaniard took over to the champions of Germany in less than two years. The rise has been remarkable and there is no doubt that it has been an incredible team effort.

Despite that, one individual has seen their stock rise exponentially this campaign. None other than Florian Wirtz. The 21-year-old has long been tipped to reach the top and the 2023-24 season was the first time fans got to see exactly what level he could reach. With 11 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga, the wonderkid could help build a midfield to rival the German engine room that won the World Cup in 2014.

8 Rodri

Manchester City and Spain

In the most recent Ballon d'Or rankings, Rodri came fifth, but there is an argument to suggest he should have finished higher. After all, he may well be the most important player in the Manchester City team.

They lost every Premier League game he missed this term. He's potentially more important to Pep Guardiola than Haaland. With that being the case, the Spaniard could easily enter the top three next term should he have another fantastic season with the 2023 European champions – which proved to be the case as he won the Club World Cup and Premier League trophies.

7 Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid and Germany

Is there a better centre-back on the planet right now? Antonio Rudiger has been worth his weight in gold for Real Madrid since joining the Spanish giants from Chelsea in 2022.

After winning both La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid this season, there's no reason why Rudiger shouldn't be in the conversation for the Ballon d'Or award. Imagine him winning Euro 2024 with Germany and suddenly he'll be one of the top contenders for the coveted accolade.

6 Phil Foden

Manchester City and England

With Kevin De Bruyne having missed a chunk of the season through injury, Phil Foden has stepped up in his teammate's absence. The Manchester City academy product has won plenty of titles before with the club, but often acting as one of many stars in a stacked team.

Named the Premier League's Player of the Year, Foden inspired City to a fourth successive Premier League title. The gifted Englishman had his most productive season to date and with Euro 2024 coming up he could head into the award ceremony with honours for both club and country in his trophy cabinet.

5 Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain and France

It feels a little bit surprising that Kylian Mbappe doesn't have a Ballon d'Or to his name already. He won the World Cup in 2018 and then netted a hat-trick in the 2022 final as France fell just short at the final hurdle against Argentina in Qatar.

On top of that, he has consistently scored goals and won titles in his homeland with Paris Saint-Germain. And yet, it feels as though the winger may need to achieve Champions League glory if he is to win the Ballon d'Or. His chances of winning the European Cup may improve dramatically next season as he looks set to leave the Parc des Princes for Real Madrid.

4 Harry Kane

Bayern Munich and England

Having finally left Tottenham in 2023, the prospect of winning silverware for the first time in his career suddenly looked to be a realistic goal for Harry Kane, but Bayern Munich were unable to stop a resurgent Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso in the Bundesliga.

On a personal level, life in Bavaria has been good for him so far, with Kane breaking all sorts of records with his goals – including that ridiculous strike from the halfway line against Darmstadt. He is the best goalscorer in Europe right now, so he deserves his lofty position on this list. However, Bayern Munich's failure to win the Champions League may be a negative against the Englishman, who is still waiting for his first major honour.

3 Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid and England

Jude Bellingham will almost certainly be in the conversation when the 2024 Ballon d'Or award rolls around. After the 20-year-old made a big summer move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, it would have been understandable if it took him some time to settle in. But, of course, this isn't just any normal footballer.

No, we are talking about Bellingham: the boy from Birmingham who arrived in Spain and took on the number five shirt for Los Blancos as if it was his birthright. The winner of the 2023 Kopa Trophy has scored so regularly in Madrid – including that match-winning brace against rivals Barcelona on his Clasico debut – Cristiano Ronaldo might one day have to be worried about his records with the club. Now a La Liga and Champions League winner, expect to see Bellingham somewhere on the Ballon d'Or podium later this year.

2 Toni Kroos

Real Madrid and Germany

Toni Kroos almost became a forgotten man at Real Madrid until the German midfielder sensationally reminded the world of his exceptional technical ability. The ex-Bayern Munich star has already added to his extensive list of major honours and is now a Champions League winner for a sixth time.

Despite announcing his retirement for after Euro 2024, Kroos remains possibly the best passer of a football on the planet, with his vision and composure being off the charts. He brings a calmness to the rest of the squad and his return to the German international set-up could be the catalyst for the host nation winning a first trophy in a decade.

1 Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid and Brazil

With just six goals and four assists to his name in the opening 14 games of the season, it wasn't quite the blistering start to a campaign that was expected of Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid, but injuries played their part in slowing his momentum. He was able to stay fit during the business end of the season, however, and the Brazilian delivered the goods when it matters most.

Last year, he scored 23 times and provided 21 assists in 55 outings for Los Blancos, earning a sixth-place finish in the 2023 Ballon d'Or rankings. Having now won La Liga and the Champions League, he finds himself right at the front of the queue. A hat-trick vs Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final certainly hasn't hurt his cause, either.

All statistics in this article are via Transfermarkt (correct as of 01/06/2024).