Ballon d’Or 2024: players who could finish in the top three

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will finally be announced on Monday (today).

For the first time in history, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo were included in the 30-man shortlist.

Messi (eight) and Ronaldo (five) have won the award 13 times in 16 years.

Instead, new contenders will emerge this time. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Rodri (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (PSG/Real Madrid) and Erling Halaand (Manchester City) are competing for the prize.

Ahead of the ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris this evening, DAILY POST takes a look at the players most likely to make it into the top three.

Vinicius Junior: The 24-year-old, who inherited Ronaldo’s number seven shirt at Real Madrid, is the hot favorite to succeed Messi. This follows an impressive season in which he won La Liga and Champions League titles with Los Blancos. Vinicius has 24 goals and 11 assists and will be the next Brazilian to win the prize after Kaka.

Rodri: There have been many calls for the Manchester City midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or this year. But the Spaniard, who won the Premier League title and Euro 2024, is likely to finish second behind Vinicius Jr. It won’t be easy for Rodri, who is considered the best in his position and has become an influential member of Pep Guardiola’s team. .

Bellingham: The England midfielder looks like a player to crack the top three ahead of Real Madrid teammates Dani Carvajal and Kylian Mbappe. Bellingham enjoyed a productive debut season with the La Liga champions and played in the Euro 2024 final for the Three Lions. Although he is yet to score a goal this season, the 21-year-old has done enough to be a finalist for the award.