Early on September 5, France Football magazine announced the list of candidates for the Golden Ball award as well as related awards. The most notable category is the Golden Ball for men.
List of 30 candidates for the 2024 Golden Ball award
Messi and Ronaldo absent from this year’s Ballon d’Or nomination list
This year’s list of 30 candidates is missing superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. This is the first time in 21 years that the Ballon d’Or shortlist has been reduced without this duo. The above result was predicted in advance.
Ronaldo had a goal-scoring season at Al Nassr but did not win any notable team titles. At Euro 2024, CR7 played disappointingly, failing to score the entire tournament. Meanwhile, Messi made limited contributions to Argentina’s 2024 Copa America championship. At Inter Miami, the 37-year-old striker was also constantly sidelined due to injury.
This year, a new name will be honored. Vinicius Jr (Real), Rodri (Man City) and Jude Bellingham (Real) are the strong candidates.
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati is considered to have a good chance of successfully defending her title. However, she will need to overcome other candidates such as Alexia Putellas or Sophia Smith.
Aitana Bonmati could bag the next Ballon d’Or
The Kopa Award for the best U21 player is unlikely to escape the hands of the magician Lamine Yamal – who played brilliantly for Spain at Euro 2024. The title of best goalkeeper will be a competition between Emiliano Martinez and Unai Simon.
Candidates for the title of best U21 player
Candidates for the Best Goalkeeper award
The 2024 Ballon d’Or award will be based on a player’s performance between August 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024. The gala to announce the winner will take place in Paris on October 28.
