Real Madrid proudly introduced their latest addition, England midfielder Jude Bellingham, this June.
The landscape of men’s football is poised for transformation. Long-standing giants Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, dominant in the Ballon d’Or race for a significant chunk of the past decade and a half, are heading towards new pastures in Saudi Arabia and the USA next season, respectively.
Karim Benzema, the recipient of the 2022 best player award, has followed Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia, whereas Luka Modric, the only other recipient in this time frame at 37 years of age, is nearing the end of his remarkable career, although he is reportedly set to stay at Real Madrid next season.
Messi seems to be the likely 2023 Ballon d’Or winner after steering Argentina to their first World Cup victory since 1986 last winter. But who will take up the torch in 2024? The Sports News Center provides some insights…
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Why Dortmund Values Bellingham at £130m
Bellingham was one of the standout performers at the World Cup last year and sealed his move to Real Madrid for a cool 103m euros (£88.5m), becoming the third priciest teenager in history and the second costliest English player. His outstanding final season in Germany included a stint as the club’s youngest-ever captain at age 19, though he couldn’t lead the Bundesliga club to their first league title in 11 years.
Following his 14 goals and seven assists across 42 appearances in the 2022-23 season, Bellingham is set to continue his incredible career trajectory with the 14-time European champions after rejecting numerous other top-tier European clubs.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland’s Impressive Treble in First English Football Season
Norwegian striker Haaland, the first to claim both the Premier League player and young player of the year awards in one season, is a strong contender to succeed Ronaldo and Messi. His stunning debut season in England saw him shatter records with 36 Premier League goals, surpassing the previous record set by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole (34).
Ending the season with 52 goals in 53 appearances, Haaland could potentially eclipse Ronaldo’s record of 837 career goals with his current tally already at 229.
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Vinicius Jr’s Stellar 2022-23 Season with 44 Goal Contributions
Following Real Madrid’s dominant performance against Liverpool in the Champions League last 16, head coach Carlo Ancelotti declared Vinicius the “most decisive player globally.” The Brazilian, known for his electrifying pace and trickery, had 23 goals and 21 assists across all competitions in 22-23 – the third-highest in Europe’s top leagues after Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Despite being a target of multiple racist incidents last season, Vinicius’s resilience led to significant sanctions for the perpetrators and a new role for him in Fifa’s anti-racism task force.
Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain)
Mbappe Takes Ligue 1’s Best Player Award in 2022-23
Since joining Paris St-Germain in 2017, French striker Mbappe has scored an impressive 212 goals and provided 98 assists in 260 games. He also has a significant record with the French national team, scoring 38 goals in 88 appearances.
After declining a contract renewal with PSG beyond 2024, many clubs are likely to show interest if the French champions choose to sell him this summer.
Neymar (Paris St-Germain)
Neymar Maintains Status as One of Football’s Biggest Stars
Despite his age, 31-year-old Neymar remains one of the game’s most prominent stars. The Brazilian winger contributed to 35 goals last season, even though an ankle injury sidelined him for the last three months.
Neymar is set to surpass Pele’s record of 77 goals for Brazil after equalling it last November, firmly securing his status among the greats.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 2024 Ballon d’Or Contenders
Who are the possible contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or according to the text?
The potential contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or as mentioned in the text are Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, both from Paris St-Germain.
Which players have dominated the Ballon d’Or race in the past 15 years?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the Ballon d’Or race for the majority of the past 15 years.
Which clubs are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reportedly moving to next season?
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly moving to Saudi Arabia, and Lionel Messi is set to play in the USA next season.
How did Jude Bellingham perform in his final season at Borussia Dortmund?
In his final season at Dortmund, Bellingham excelled and even made history as the club’s youngest captain at 19 years of age. He registered 14 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances.
What are some notable records held by Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe?
Erling Haaland holds the record for the first player to win the Premier League player and young player of the year awards in the same season, and his 36-goal tally broke a long-standing record. Kylian Mbappe has scored 212 goals and contributed 98 assists since joining Paris St-Germain, placing him fifth in France’s all-time scorer’s list.
How has Vinicius Jr been significant in anti-racism movements in football?
After being the target of racist abuse multiple times last season, Vinicius was recruited by Fifa to be part of a new anti-racism task force. His situation led to significant sanctions for the perpetrators of racism.
More about 2024 Ballon d’Or Contenders
- Jude Bellingham’s Transfer to Real Madrid
- Erling Haaland’s Records in Premier League
- Vinicius Jr.’s Role in Anti-Racism Movements
- Kylian Mbappe’s Scoring Record
- Neymar’s Injury Updates
5 comments
Messi and Ronaldo’s era might be coming to an end, but these young talents are ready to shine! Excited to see the future of football with players like Bellingham, Haaland, Vinicius, Mbappe, and Neymar. #NextGeneration
Haaland’s goal-scoring record is insane! He’s breaking records left and right. Definitely a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. #HaalandTheRecordBreaker
Bellingham, Haaland, Vinicius, Mbappe, and Neymar – talk about a star-studded list! Can’t decide who’s gonna take it, but they’re all deserving! #BallonDOrContenders
omg these playerz r on fire! dey gonna rock da 2024 ballon d’Or! cant wait 2 c who wins! #excited
Vinicius Jr’s skill and dedication on and off the field make him a true role model. Proud to see him fighting against racism in football. #AntiRacismWarrior