Ballon d’Or 2024: Vinicius Jr Favored to Win as Messi and Ronaldo Era Ends

The 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place on Monday, October 28, at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris. This year’s event marks a significant shift as neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo, who have collectively won 13 Ballon d’Or awards, have been nominated for the first time in 20 years.

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is the favorite to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, potentially becoming the first winner born in this century. Vinicius had a notable season, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists across all competitions, including a crucial role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and UEFA Champions League victories.

Other strong contenders for the men’s award include Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, who was instrumental in City’s Premier League win and Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 victory, and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who had an impressive season with 23 goals from 42 outings.

The Ballon d’Or is voted on by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings, with each journalist selecting 10 players in ranked order. The player with the most points wins the award.

In addition to the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards, other categories include the Ballon d’Or Feminin, Kopa Trophy for the best young footballer, Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, Gerd Muller Trophy for the most goals scored, Socrates Award for humanitarian work, and awards for the best men’s and women’s club and coach of the year.

The women’s Ballon d’Or is expected to be a closely contested affair, with Barcelona‘s Aitana Bonmati, the current titleholder, facing strong competition from teammates and other international players such as Caroline Graham Hansen and Mallory Swanson of the U.S. women's national team.