FOR an entire decade, the Ballon d’Or was passed back and forth between just two players. Luka Modric ended Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s duopoly of football’s most prestigious individual award by winning it in 2018, but Messi added three more to his collection in 2019, 2021 and most recently 2023.

There’s not much chance Messi will retain his crown this year with the Argentinean now 36 and playing in MLS for Inter Miami while Ronaldo has also moved to the periphery of the sport by joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. A new generation of talent has emerged at football’s elite level and the Ballon d’Or has never been more open.

Jude Bellingham is currently the favourite to win the award with the Englishman enjoying the season of his career so far. The 20-year-old has been the driving force behind a Real Madrid team that has already clinched the Spanish title and could win yet another Champions League title having made a run to the semi-finals, disposing of Manchester City along the way.

 

Bellingham has thrived in a number 10-and-a-half position since joining Real Madrid from Borussia last summer and has netted an incredible 22 goals in all competitions, including several match-winners. At this point, the midfielder is well-established as one of the best players in the world even at such a young age.

Kylian Mbappe is another listed highly in the 2024 Ballon d’Or odds. Nobody has scored more goals in this season’s Champions League than the French forward who has also found the back of the net 26 times in just 28 Ligue 1 matches for Paris Saint-Germain this term. He could win a Treble in his final season at the Parc des Princes.

Both Bellingham and Mbappe’s year could be defined by what happens at Euro 2024. England and France are expected to be among the frontrunners in Germany this summer with Bellingham a key figure for the Three Lions and Mbappe integral for Les Blues. A successful tournament for either could tip the Ballon d’Or voting in their favour.

The same could be said for Harry Kane and Phil Foden. Bayern Munich have suffered a disappointing season domestically as Bayer Leverkusen have ended their 11-year dominance of the Bundesliga, but Kane can hardly be blamed for this having scored 36 goals in 32 league appearances and 44 goals in all competitions.

Foden has bagged 24 goals in all competitions for Manchester City this season and has taken a major step forward as one of Pep Guardiola’s most important players. However, it remains to be seen whether Gareth Southgate can get the same productivity out of the 23-year-old for England. Foden hasn’t always played his best football at international level.

Erling Haaland won’t be at Euro 2024 after Norway’s failure to qualify for the tournament. However, the striker is on course for another Premier League Golden Boot having scored 26 goals in just 28 games and could be rewarded for providing the cutting edge in another historic Manchester City campaign.

Vinicius Junior could also be a factor in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting, especially if the Brazilian makes a big impact at this summer’s Copa America. Another triumph for Messi in an Argentina shirt at the same tournament could boost Messi’s slim chances of winning a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or.

Football at the elite level is in a transitional phase with players like Bellingham, Mbappe and co. now making their mark at the top. The Ballon d’Or process certainly isn’t a scientific one, but it carries an important symbolism that matters. It matters even more in the post-Messi and Ronaldo era.

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