Who Will Win the 2024 Ballon d’Or? A New Era Begins
No Messi, No Ronaldo
With no Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo nominated, the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris marks the start of a new era in soccer. Their absence creates a sense of void, signaling the likely end of one of sports’ most captivating rivalries.
Reflections on a Historic Rivalry
Jonathan Wilson, a soccer author, remarked on the significance of this shift. “As this rivalry comes to an end, we ponder what the next great rivalry will be,” he told The Associated Press. “However, there has never been a rivalry quite like that before.”
Dominance of Messi and Ronaldo
Messi and Ronaldo dominated soccer for over 16 years, winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or a combined 13 times. Yet, neither is nominated this year. Instead, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior is favored to win. He could become the first player born this century to claim the award after his impressive hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Vinicius Junior: A Rising Star
“Vinicius had an incredible season where he was a key player,” said Madrid teammate Lucas Vazquez. “He proved he’s the best player in the world.” Despite this, it seems the Ballon d’Or might return to a time when multiple winners were more common, before the Messi-Ronaldo era.
Historical Context
Historically, players like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, and George Best each won the Ballon d’Or only once. The award, originally for European players, was never given to legends like Pelé or Diego Maradona. Before Messi, the last player to win back-to-back was Dutch striker Marco van Basten in 1988 and 1989. Messi won his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or last year after leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup.
The Search for a Successor
Wilson, who wrote about Argentinian soccer in “Angels With Dirty Faces,” sees no clear successor to Messi. “Messi has been phenomenal for 17 or 18 years,” he stated. “In terms of sustained greatness, Messi is the greatest by far. There’s no one close to his talent right now.”
New Generation of Stars
Vinicius Junior’s potential win represents a shift in the soccer landscape. He helped Madrid secure their 15th European Cup last season. Alongside him, stars like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal are emerging as future contenders.
Rodri and the 90s Generation
Manchester City midfielder Rodri is the second favorite to win this year. If he does, he would become the first player born in the 1990s to claim the award. Mbappe, born in 1998, is seen as the heir to Messi and Ronaldo’s legacy.
Recent Winners and Trends
Since Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or win in 2008, only Luka Modric (2018) and Karim Benzema (2022) have won. Both were born in the 1980s. The award was canceled in 2020, when Robert Lewandowski was considered the best player but was born in the ’80s as well. Neymar, born in 1992, finished third twice.
The Ballon d’Or Process
The Ballon d’Or, established by France Football magazine in 1956, is voted on by journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries. Each journalist selects ten players in ranked order, with points given for each position. The player with the most points wins.
The Impact of Messi and Ronaldo
The influence of Messi and Ronaldo during the social media age has elevated the award’s profile. Players now aspire to win it as passionately as they do the Champions League or World Cup. This potential win can also affect transfer negotiations, with clubs including clauses tied to winning the award in contracts.
New Rivalries on the Horizon
While Vinicius appears to be in a strong position this year, the rivalry between Mbappe and Haaland is poised to capture attention. Both are key strikers for Madrid and Manchester City, the top teams in Europe.
The Future of Soccer Rivalries
Matt Oldfield, a soccer author, believes rivalries are crucial in the sport. “The Mbappe-Haaland debate will be the leading one,” he noted. Oldfield writes children’s books about soccer, and his latest series, “The Football GOAT (Greatest of All Time),” reflects the evolving landscape of soccer. The first book focused on Messi and Ronaldo, while the next will center on Mbappe and Haaland. “We’re kind of moving beyond Messi and Ronaldo now,” he said.
