Table of Contents
Monday was a big day as the top players from around the world gathered in Paris for the Ballon d’Or 2024 award ceremonythe 68th edition of the event, which has been awarded to the best footballers by French publication France Football since 1956 and is widely regarded as the game’s most prestigious individual award. The event was drama-free, with Rodri winning the men’s prize as Real Madrid did not screen the event in support of Vinicius Junior. But with Rodri out for an extended period due to injury, next year’s winner will certainly not be a repeat. Every year there are more talents and players who could win the award, so let’s take a look at the top five contenders for next year’s men’s award.
5. Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid
Let’s start with Kylian Mbappé, who moved from PSG to Real Madrid as a free agent in the summer of 2024 after his deal with the French giants expired at the end of the 2023/24 season. Despite being one of the best players, he had no chance of winning the Ballon d’Or this year. For the next one he can aim to make it, but a lot will depend on his performance at Real Madrid, especially considering the mission that Vinicius Jr. will probably be carried out after Monday.
4. Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid
The most controversial decision of the past decade left Vinicius Jr. did not win the prize this year. The Brazilian winger is the face of Real Madrid, despite the arrival of another star like Mbappé, and was named the best player of the 2023/24 season with the team coached by Carlo Ancelotti, who won both the Spanish LaLiga and UEFA champion won. League, when Vinicius scored the second goal of the 2024 final against Borussia Dortmund. The Brazilian winger was also named the best player of the 2023/24 Champions League, probably the biggest clue as to why he was considered the leading candidate for the Ballon d’Or on Monday. After losing the Ballon d’Or, he can hope to win his first in 2025.
3. Robert Lewandowski, FC Barcelona
Had it not been for the 2020 Covid outbreak, the Polish striker would likely have won the 2020 edition of the Ballon d’Or when he won the Treble with Bayern Munich. He is now back working with former Bayern coach Hansi Flick at Barcelona and the start of the 2024-2025 season tells us he can be at that level again. And if Barcelona can win some trophies this season, there are no reasons why he wouldn’t make it.
2. Erling Haaland, Manchester City
After the end of the Messi-Ronaldo era, we all expected the Norwegian striker to succeed them alongside Mbappe. However, it probably won’t be Haaland’s year, despite winning and dominating the Premier League again and also scoring 38 goals in 45 games with Manchester City during the 2023/24 season. The perfect goal machine, Haaland is definitely one of those players who should probably win the Balon d’Or in the coming years.
1. Lamine Yamal, FC Barcelona
The future star of world football was shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or this year at the age of 17, becoming one of the youngest players on the shortlist. In addition to being shortlisted for the top prize, he won the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best young player of the year. There are no doubts that this is only the first time we will see Yamal at the Ballon d’Or ceremony as he is expected to be one of the best and most interesting stars for the future. This year it’s time for the Kopa Trophy, but next year he could be back in Paris to win the most important one.
Wildcard: Can Christian Pulisic win the Ballon d’Or?
The USMNT star can certainly hope to be selected in the final list of the 2025 Ballon d’Or given the great start to the season he is having. However, Rodri’s victory in 2024 showed that a player’s individual performance must be backed by the performance of the teams he plays for. In that sense, the start of the 2024/25 season does not look great for AC Milan. They are struggling under new manager Paulo Fonseca. For Pulisic, it would be a great achievement if he can be included in the top 30, and that could really happen.