France Football has officially released its highly anticipated list of nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, signaling a fresh and thrilling chapter in the world of football. This year’s selections for both the men’s and women’s awards shine a spotlight on emerging stars who have achieved monumental success, including Champions League victor Jude Bellingham, and two-time Premier League champion Erling Haaland. On the women’s side, notable names include U.S. women’s national team Olympic gold medalists Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith. As usual, the individual honors are heavily influenced by success on the international stage, with nominees recognized for triumphs in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the men’s European Championship, and Copa America.
The list features 30 nominees for both the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or, with the prestigious awards set to be presented at a grand ceremony in Paris on October 28. Let’s take a deep dive into the key contenders, categorizing them into different tiers based on their chances of winning.
Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees
“Just Happy to Be Here”
This category includes players like Hakan Calhanoglou (Inter and Turkey), Ruben Dias (Manchester City and Portugal), and Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid and Germany). These individuals had remarkable seasons and were integral to their clubs’ successes, such as UEFA Europa League champion Ademola Lookman and Champions League finalist Mats Hummels. While they’ve earned well-deserved recognition, these players are unlikely to make a significant impact in the voting this year.
“Long Shots”
This group comprises players such as Lautaro Martinez (Inter and Argentina), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal and England), and Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig and Spain), who have displayed consistent brilliance throughout the year. Martinez and Olmo, in particular, impressed in their summer tournaments, but even with their standout performances, they are considered underdogs in the race for the Ballon d’Or. While they might steal a few votes, surpassing the frontrunners will be a tall order.
“Serious Contenders”
This tier is where the real action lies. Big names like Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England), and Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid and France) dominate the conversation. These players not only delivered extraordinary performances on the biggest stages but also won significant silverware. Haaland, for instance, broke numerous goal-scoring records while guiding City to multiple titles, and Bellingham’s meteoric rise at Real Madrid has made him a household name. Pep Guardiola, Haaland’s manager, even expressed his admiration: “We’d be delighted if he won it – he absolutely deserves it.”
It’s a wide-open race in 2024, with a legitimate chance for these players to establish themselves as the successors to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have now exited the Ballon d’Or spotlight.
Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees
“Happy to Be Here”
This category features veterans like Ada Hegerberg (Lyon and Norway) and Alexia Putellas (Barcelona and Spain), both former Ballon d’Or winners. However, despite their past glories, this year may not be their moment to reclaim the award. Others, like Tabitha Chawinga (Lyon and Malawi) and Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg/Barcelona and Poland), are rising talents, but the fierce competition may hold them back this time around. Still, many of these players have the potential to become serious contenders in the coming years.
“Long Shots”
Here we find a fascinating mix of talents, including Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona and Spain) and Lindsey Horan (Lyon and USA). These players had notable achievements, such as winning the Champions League or earning Olympic medals, but face tough competition. Alyssa Naeher, the lone goalkeeper nominee from the U.S., is included in this group after helping her country win bronze at the Olympics. Mayra Ramirez, who recently set a women’s football transfer record with her move to Chelsea, also makes an appearance, but like others in this category, a win seems unlikely.
“Top Contenders”
This elite group includes names like Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona and Spain), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit and USA), and Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns and USA). Bonmati, the reigning winner, has continued her impressive form and could very well claim back-to-back titles. U.S. stars Rodman and Smith, both gold medalists, are also firmly in the running. Meanwhile, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw of Manchester City has made a strong case for herself after an outstanding WSL season. Barbra Banda, who took the NWSL by storm in her first year with Orlando Pride, rounds out a field of incredibly talented individuals all vying for the coveted award.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with a new generation of stars emerging on the global stage and numerous worthy candidates across both the men’s and women’s categories. This year’s race feels wide open, setting the stage for what will undoubtedly be a thrilling ceremony in Paris.
