As 2024 begins, the football world is already ablaze with the announcement of the nominees for the prestigious Ballon d’Or. This year’s edition promises to be particularly exciting, with names of talented young players emerging on the international scene.
Olympic champions Spain and Champions League winners Real Madrid are among the favourites to lift the coveted trophy. A list of 30 players has been revealed, marking a departure from previous editions as neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are among the contenders.
Players to watch closely include Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland, all promising talents of the new generation. Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal is also in the running for the title.
A special mention should be made for Ronwen Williams, the first African player to be nominated for the Yachine Trophy for Best Goalkeeper. Indeed, George Weah remains to this day the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or in 1995.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati, winner of the previous edition, is among the candidates, alongside American stars Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan.
In this year 2024, the Ballon d’Or also introduces two new awards for the Coach of the Year for men and women, thus highlighting the growing importance of coaching in the world of football.
Created by the magazine France Football in 1956, the Ballon d’Or is awarded by a jury of journalists specializing in men’s and women’s football. The awards ceremony will take place in Paris on October 28, promising an evening full of emotions and rewards for the best representatives of world football.
Ultimately, the 2024 Ballon d’Or promises to be an edition full of surprises and emerging talents, offering football fans unforgettable moments and hopes for the future of the most popular sport on the planet.