Ballon d’Or 2024 Power Rankings

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time in 2023. The legendary forward received the award off the back of an unforgettable year in which he finally won the World Cup with Argentina. 

Erling Haaland finished second but wasn’t able to win the accolade for the first time in his career, despite having won the treble with Manchester City.

At the age of 37 and now playing in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, it currently seems that Messi is unlikely to add a ninth to his collection. So, for the first time in years, it appears the race is wide open for anyone to come in and claim the Ballon d’Or.

In the past, the prestigous individual accolade was based on the performance of footballers across a calendar year. However, this time around – for the second time in the award’s history – the votes are based on the results of the season, meaning that in 2023, Messi won for his efforts – starting on August 1, 2022 and ending on July 31, 2023. We’ve listed the 20 most likely candidates for the 2024 Ballon d’Or based on how they’ve performed so far this year.

Ranking factors

We’ve determined the order based on the following:

• Goals scored
• Assists
• Clean sheets (if defensive-minded)
• Trophies won/challenging for
• Big moments in 2023-24 and in major international tournaments
• General form

20 – Cristiano Ronaldo

Al-Nassr and Portugal

It’s unlikely that Ronaldo will be in the running for the next Ballon d’Or. After all, he didn’t even make the final 30 shortlist last time out. But it would still be foolish to ever rule out the five-time winner completely.

After all, he has enjoyed a strong year in the ever-strengthening Saudi Pro League season, having bagged 44 goals for Al-Nassr throughout 2023. What’s more, Ronaldo continues to score goals for Portugal – netting 10 times for his nation over the year. This tally of 54 strikes means he scored more goals in 2023 than any other player. The veteran superstar didn’t enjoy the best Euro 2024 campaign, but the 39-year-old’s achievements at club level shouldn’t be understated.

19 – Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa and Argentina

Lionel Messi hailed his international teammate Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez as the world’s best goalkeeper in the aftermath of Argentina’s Copa America quarter-final victory over Ecuador. Certainly, when it comes to penalty shootouts at least, the Aston Villa shot-stopper is in a league of his own.

The man who produced arguably the best save of all time in the 2022 World Cup final, Martinez has been worth his weight in gold for Argentina since becoming the South American nation’s first-choice ‘keeper several years ago. The 31-year-old was also named Best Goalkeeper at the 2024 Copa America.

18 – Granit Xhaka

Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland

Much-maligned during his time with Arsenal, Granit Xhaka has transformed his reputation since joining Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023. The combative midfielder played a starring role as Xabi Alonso’s side went the entire Bundesliga campaign unbeaten, ending Bayern Munich’s era of dominance in the process.

Xhaka would stand a far better chance of winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or if Bayer Leverkusen had beaten Atalanta in the Europa League final, and if Switzerland had found a way past England at Euro 2024. Still, take nothing away from the remarkable season that he’s had. The 31-year-old deserves all the plaudits that have come his way in recent months.

17 – Florian Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen and Germany

What a season it was last term for Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen. From relegation candidates when the Spaniard took over to the champions of Germany in less than two years. The rise has been remarkable and there’s no doubt that it’s been an incredible team effort.

Despite that, one individual has seen his stock rise exponentially: the gifted Florian Wirtz. The 21-year-old has long been tipped to reach the top and the 2023-24 season was the first time fans got to see exactly what level he could reach. With 11 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga, the wonderkid went on to produce a series of eye-catching performances for host nation Germany at the European Championship.

16 – Erling Haaland

Manchester City and Norway

There are plenty who felt Haaland should have been crowned the winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or, but even his 52 goals in all competitions – as City won the treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup – weren’t enough to pip Messi to the post.

He did at least win the Gerd Muller Trophy for best goalscorer and can’t be discounted from winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or given his performances and achievements since January. However, at this stage it feels unlikely – particularly as Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2024, meaning Haaland didn’t have the opportunity to light up this summer’s tournament.

15 – Eduardo Camavinga

Real Madrid and France

After helping Real Madrid become champions of Europe for a record-breaking 15th time, Eduardo Camavinga (who was one of Los Blancos’ standout performers against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final) now finds himself with an outside chance of winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or. The 21-year-old, who can play in midfield or at left-back, is one of the two best young players in world football right now.

However, France’s elimination to Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-finals has almost certainly cost him the opportunity of making the 2024 Ballon d’Or podium, barring something truly extraordinary happening over the coming months.

14 – Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid and Germany

Is there a better centre-back on the planet right now? Antonio Rudiger has been worth his weight in gold for Real Madrid since joining the Spanish giants from Chelsea in 2022.

After winning both La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid this season, there’s no reason why Rudiger shouldn’t be in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or award. But there’s no doubt that his chances would have increased exponentially if Germany had gone all the way at Euro 2024 instead of crashing out at the quarter-final stage.

13 – Declan Rice

Arsenal and England

It’s not often that you get a £100m signing that everybody agrees was good value for money, but Rice has been so good for Arsenal that it almost feels like they underpaid for the former West Ham United star. The defensive midfielder was the driving force behind the Gunners’ title charge.

Not only has he brought steel to the middle of the park for Mikel Arteta’s side, but Rice has also delivered more goals and assists than ever before in his career. The Englishman has been vital to the club’s domestic and European exploits, helping the Gunners reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.

12 – Bukayo Saka

Arsenal and England

Bukayo Saka has enjoyed a fine season with the Gunners and topped the charts for both goals (20) and assists (14) among his teammates. The Englishman’s quality ensured Arsenal chased Manchester City until the last day of the 2023-24 campaign, while he also performed well in the Champions League with seven-goal contributions in his first seven games at that level.

He may still only be 22 years old, but Saka has already established himself as one of the best wingers in the world. There’s no doubt that he would have been an even stronger contender for the most prestigious individual award in world football if England had won Euro 2024.

11 – Toni Kroos

Retired (Was Real Madrid and Germany)

Toni Kroos almost became a forgotten man at Real Madrid until the German midfielder sensationally reminded the world of his exceptional technical ability. The ex-Bayern Munich star has already added to his extensive list of major honours and is now a Champions League winner for a sixth time.

Kroos was still arguably the best passer of a ball on the planet heading into Euro 2024, with his vision and composure being off the charts. However, he has now played his final game in professional football following Germany’s Euro 2024 quarter-final exit to Spain after deciding to call time on his illustrious career aged just 34 prior to the tournament getting underway.

10 – Phil Foden

Manchester City and England

Kevin De Bruyne missed a chunk of the 2023-24 season through injury and Phil Foden stepped up in his teammate’s absence. The Manchester City academy product has won plenty of titles before with the club, but often acting as one of many stars in a stacked team.

Named the Premier League’s Player of the Year, Foden inspired City to a fourth successive Premier League title. The gifted Englishman had his most productive season to date but, despite his best efforts, was unable to get England over the line at Euro 2024.

9 – Harry Kane

Bayern Munich and England

Having finally left Tottenham in 2023, the prospect of winning silverware for the first time in his career suddenly looked to be a realistic goal for Harry Kane, but Bayern Munich were unable to stop a resurgent Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso in the Bundesliga.

On a personal level, life in Bavaria has been good for him so far, with Kane breaking all sorts of records with his goals – including that ridiculous strike from the halfway line against Darmstadt. He is the best goalscorer in Europe right now, so he deserves his lofty position on this list. However, Bayern Munich’s failure to win the Champions League may be a negative against the Englishman, who is still waiting for his first major honour following England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

8 – Lautaro Martinez

Inter Milan and Argentina

Going purely off league form during the 2023-24 season, there are very few across the globe who have played better football than Martinez in recent months. With 24 Serie A goals and six assists to his name, the Argentine helped Inter Milan secure a 30th league title, culminating with a win over arch-rivals AC Milan.

The 26-year-old has continued his fine form into the Copa America, where he secured the top scorer award with five goals, including the winner in the final against Colombia. As a result of that extra-time winning goal, Martinez’s chances of making the Ballon d’Or podium have improved dramatically.

7 – Lionel Messi

Inter Miami and Argentina

Much like Ronaldo, Messi is another aging great who may well be past his prime but could potentially keep himself in the running with another brilliant calendar year. The former Barcelona man scored 11 goals and five assists in his first 14 Inter Miami outings, also winning the Leagues Cup before the season ended (the 2024 MLS season did not start until February). The little magician has continued that form into the new campaign.

On top of that, Messi has now won more silverware with Argentina, who successfully defended their Copa America title this summer. La Albiceleste advanced to the final thanks to Messi’s Man of the Match performance in a 2-0 win over Canada. His participation in the final against Colombia ended early due to an ankle injury, but he still ended the night with yet another title as he cemented his status as the most decorated footballer in history.

6 – Dani Carvajal

Real Madrid and Spain

Big moments count big time when it comes to the Ballon d’Or, and it was Dani Carvajal who scored Real Madrid’s crucial first goal against Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final, heading home from Toni Kroos’ cross. The 32-year-old wasn’t previously among the top 20 candidates prior to the final at Wembley, but that moment propelled him into the top 10.

Carvajal also helped Spain win Euro 2024, so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he’ll become the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to win the Ballon d’Or.

5 – Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid and France

It feels a little surprising that Kylian Mbappe doesn’t have a Ballon d’Or to his name already. He won the World Cup in 2018 and then netted a hat-trick in the 2022 final as France fell just short at the final hurdle against Argentina in Qatar.

On top of that, he has consistently scored goals and won titles in his homeland with Paris Saint-Germain. And yet, it feels as though the winger may need to achieve Champions League glory if he is to win the Ballon d’Or. His chances of winning the European Cup may improve dramatically next season following his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid.

4 – Lamine Yamal

Barcelona and Spain

Lamine Yamal cemented his status as a household name of European football at the tender age of 17 thanks to his extremely impressive performances for champions Spain at Euro 2024. The Barcelona sensation wasn’t in the frame for the 2024 Ballon d’Or prior to this summer’s showpiece international tournament, but that’s all changed now. His stunning goal against France in the semi-finals will be spoken about for many years, if not decades, to come.

Yamal also played his part in the final, assisting Nico Williams’ opening goal – his fourth assist of the tournament. The teenager deservedly won Euro 2024’s Best Young Player award and, as a result, he now finds himself in with a serious chance of becoming the youngest-ever winner of the Ballon d’Or award.

3 – Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid and England

Jude Bellingham will almost certainly be on the podium for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award. After the 21-year-old made a huge summer move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, it would have been understandable if it took him some time to settle in. But, of course, this isn’t just any normal footballer.

No, we are talking about Bellingham: the boy from Birmingham who arrived in Spain and took on Zinedine Zidane’s famous number five shirt for Los Blancos as if it was his birthright. The winner of the 2023 Kopa Trophy has scored so regularly in Madrid – including that match-winning brace against rivals Barcelona on his Clasico debut – Cristiano Ronaldo might one day have to be worried about his records with the club. Now a La Liga and Champions League winner, expect to see Bellingham in the mix for the Ballon d’Or later this year, especially after *that* overhead kick goal for England against Slovakia during Euro 2024.

2 – Rodri

Manchester City and Spain

In the most recent Ballon d’Or rankings, Rodri came fifth, but there is an argument to suggest he should have finished higher. After all, he may well be the most important player in the Manchester City team – and potentially even the world’s best footballer.

Man City lost every Premier League game he missed last term. He’s potentially more important to Pep Guardiola than Haaland. Instrumental for his country, too, Rodri deservedly won the Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament award after Spain beat England in the final to lift the famous European Championship trophy in Berlin.

1 – Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid and Brazil

Back to the top of the rankings, despite Brazil’s Copa America quarter-final exit to Uruguay, which threatened to ruin his chances of securing football’s most coveted individual prize this year. Vinicius Jr was Real Madrid’s star man during the 2023-24 campaign alongside Jude Bellingham, playing a pivotal role as the Spanish giants won both La Liga and the Champions League.

No Real Madrid player scored more goals during the Champions League campaign than the gifted South American winger. His sixth and final goal came at Wembley in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund as Carlo Ancelotti’s side secured a 2-0 win in London – and a record-breaking 15th European Cup.

All statistics in this article are via Transfermarkt (correct as of 31/07/2024).