Ballon d’Or 2024 Power Rankings
Lionel Messi secured his record eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, capping off a remarkable year with Argentina’s World Cup triumph. Despite winning the treble with Manchester City, Erling Haaland finished as runner-up, missing out on his first Ballon d’Or.
At 37 years old and now plying his trade in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, Messi’s chances of adding a ninth Ballon d’Or to his collection appear slim. This has opened up the race for the prestigious award like never before, making it anyone’s game to claim in years.
Traditionally awarded based on a footballer’s performance across a calendar year, the 2023 Ballon d’Or took into account the season’s results for the second time in its history. Messi’s win reflected his contributions from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023. Here are the top 20 candidates most likely to contend for the 2024 Ballon d’Or based on their performances thus far this year.
Ranking Factors
The order of ranking is determined based on the following criteria:
- Goals Scored
- Assists
- Clean Sheets (if defensive-minded)
- Trophies Won or Challenged for
- Big Moments in 2023-24 and Major International Tournaments
- General Form
Ballon d’Or Power Rankings
Rank | Player | Club | Country | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vinicius Junior | Real Madrid | Brazil | Forward |
2 | Rodri | Manchester City | Spain | Midfielder |
3 | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | England | Midfielder |
4 | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | Spain | Forward |
5 | Kylian Mbappe | Real Madrid | France | Forward |
6 | Dani Carvajal | Real Madrid | Spain | Defender |
7 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | Argentina | Forward |
8 | Lautaro Martinez | Inter | Argentina | Forward |
9 | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | England | Forward |
10 | Phil Foden | Manchester City | England | Midfielder |
11 | Toni Kroos | Retired | Germany | Midfielder |
12 | Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | England | Forward |
13 | Declan Rice | Arsenal | England | Midfielder |
14 | Antonio Rudiger | Real Madrid | Germany | Defender |
15 | Eduardo Camavinga | Real Madrid | France | Midfielder |
16 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Norway | Forward |
17 | Florian Wirtz | Bayer Leverkusen | Germany | Midfielder |
18 | Granit Xhaka | Bayer Leverkusen | Switzerland | Midfielder |
19 | Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa | Argentina | Goalkeeper |
20 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr | Portugal | Forward |
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to shine at Al-Nassr and with Portugal in 2023, despite his absence from the final 30 shortlist for the Ballon d’Or. The 39-year-old forward had a prolific season in the Saudi Pro League, scoring 44 goals for Al-Nassr and adding 10 more for his national team, totaling 54 goals in the year. While his Euro 2024 campaign with Portugal wasn’t his best, Ronaldo’s achievements at club level remain impressive.
Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez, celebrated for his crucial saves in Argentina’s Copa America quarter-final win over Ecuador, was praised by Lionel Messi as the world’s best goalkeeper. Martinez, pivotal in penalty shootouts, has been Argentina’s mainstay since becoming their first-choice goalkeeper. His 2023/24 season with Aston Villa saw him play 47 games, conceding 61 goals, and keeping 15 clean sheets.
Granit Xhaka
Once criticized during his Arsenal days, Granit Xhaka revitalized his career at Bayer Leverkusen, helping them go unbeaten in the Bundesliga and dethrone Bayern Munich. His standout performances under Xabi Alonso’s management earned him acclaim despite Bayer Leverkusen falling short in the Europa League and Switzerland exiting Euro 2024 early. Xhaka, 31, played 50 games, scoring 4 goals, and providing 2 assists in the 2023/24 season.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz emerged as a rising star for Bayer Leverkusen, transforming them from relegation candidates to Bundesliga champions under Xabi Alonso’s guidance. His season showcased his potential, with 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 games, alongside impactful performances for Germany in the European Championship.
Erling Haaland
Despite Erling Haaland’s impressive 52 goals for Manchester City, securing the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble, he narrowly missed out on the 2023 Ballon d’Or to Lionel Messi. His individual accolades included winning the Gerd Muller Trophy for best goalscorer. Norway’s absence from Euro 2024 limited his international showcase, impacting his bid for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Eduardo Camavinga
Eduardo Camavinga played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s record-breaking 15th Champions League win, highlighted by standout performances in the final against Borussia Dortmund. The versatile 21-year-old contributed significantly despite France’s Euro 2024 semi-final exit, affecting his chances for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger excelled at Real Madrid following his move from Chelsea, playing a key role in their La Liga and Champions League triumphs. His defensive prowess and leadership made him a strong contender for individual honors, although Germany’s Euro 2024 quarter-final exit limited his chances for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice’s influential presence for Arsenal in their domestic and European campaigns marked a standout season for the midfielder. His contributions in midfield, along with 7 goals and 10 assists in 51 games, helped Arsenal reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in over a decade.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka’s breakout season with Arsenal saw him lead the team with 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances. The 22-year-old winger’s stellar performances contributed to Arsenal’s title push and impressed in the Champions League, showcasing his status as one of the world’s top young talents.
Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos, known for his exceptional passing and composure, concluded his illustrious career at Real Madrid with a sixth Champions League title. The German midfielder’s influence remained significant, despite Germany’s early exit from Euro 2024, marking the end of his professional journey at 34 years old.
Phil Foden
Phil Foden stepped up for Manchester City in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, earning recognition as the Premier League’s Player of the Year. His pivotal role in City’s title triumph included 27 goals and 12 assists in 53 games, though England’s disappointment in Euro 2024 hindered his chances for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich aimed to secure his first major trophies, yet the club fell short against a resurgent Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Despite this, the striker’s performances continued to impress, highlighting his quest for silverware at the elite level.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane has thrived in Bavaria, breaking numerous records with his exceptional goal-scoring abilities, including a memorable strike from the halfway line against Darmstadt. He currently stands as Europe’s top goal-scorer, justifying his high placement on this list. However, Bayern Munich’s failure to clinch the Champions League title may be a setback for the Englishman, who is still chasing his first major trophy following England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Lautaro Martinez
Based solely on his league performances in the 2023-24 season, few players worldwide have surpassed Lautaro Martinez in recent months. With 24 goals and six assists in Serie A, the Argentine played a pivotal role in Inter Milan’s 30th league title, culminating in a victory over arch-rivals AC Milan. Martinez’s standout season continued into the Copa America, where he claimed the top scorer award with five goals, including the match-winner in the final against Colombia, significantly enhancing his chances for the Ballon d’Or podium.
Lionel Messi
Like Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, despite his advancing years, continues to maintain a competitive edge and remains a contender with another stellar calendar year. The former Barcelona star made a remarkable impact at Inter Miami, tallying 11 goals and five assists in his initial 14 appearances, securing the Leagues Cup before the 2024 MLS season commenced in February. Messi’s form carried into the new campaign, bolstered by more silverware with Argentina, defending their Copa America title with his influential performances.
Dani Carvajal
Big moments are pivotal for Ballon d’Or consideration, and Dani Carvajal seized such a moment by scoring Real Madrid’s crucial opening goal against Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final, heading home Toni Kroos’ cross. This achievement propelled the 32-year-old into the top 10 contenders, further boosted by Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, positioning him as a strong candidate to emulate Fabio Cannavaro as the first defender since 2006 to claim the Ballon d’Or.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe’s lack of a Ballon d’Or remains surprising despite winning the 2018 World Cup and his standout performances for Paris Saint-Germain. His move to Real Madrid may enhance his prospects, particularly if he secures Champions League glory next season. In the 2023-24 campaign with PSG, Mbappe excelled with 44 goals and 10 assists in 48 games, underscoring his consistency and hunger for top honors.
Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal catapulted to prominence at just 17 years old with standout performances for Spain in Euro 2024, solidifying his status as a rising star in European football. The Barcelona prodigy’s memorable goal against France in the semi-finals and key assist in the final underscored his impact, earning him the Best Young Player award and significantly boosting his candidacy for the Ballon d’Or.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham appears destined for the 2024 Ballon d’Or podium following his sensational move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid. The 21-year-old seamlessly integrated into Zinedine Zidane’s squad, donning the iconic number five shirt and making an immediate impact with crucial goals, including a memorable brace in his Clasico debut against Barcelona. His accolades include the 2023 Kopa Trophy, with notable contributions for both club and country, culminating in La Liga and Champions League triumphs.
Rodri Rodri, who finished fifth in the recent Ballon d’Or rankings, arguably deserved a higher spot as a linchpin in Manchester City’s squad and a key figure in world football. Instrumental in City’s success, Rodri’s leadership was pivotal as they claimed the Premier League title and triumphed in the Champions League. His crowning moment came with the Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament award, leading Spain to victory over England in Berlin.
Vinicius Junior
Despite Brazil’s Copa America exit, Vinicius Junior shone brightly for Real Madrid throughout the 2023-24 season, crucial in their La Liga and Champions League double. The Brazilian winger’s stellar form included vital goals, culminating in a record-breaking 15th European Cup triumph with a decisive strike in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.