The Contenders for the 2024 Ballon d'Or: A Race to Remember

As the footballing world braces itself for yet another thrilling edition of the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony, the excitement is palpable among fans and pundits alike. The 2024 edition promises to be a showdown of epic proportions, with several standout performers vying for the coveted title of the world's best player. Let's take a closer look at some of the top contenders who are in the running for football's most prestigious individual accolade.

1 - Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)

In just his first season Jude Bellingham as already established himself as one of Real Madrid's key player scoring a goal in every single one of his opening 6 matches for Real Madrid.

The hype around him had been tempered in recent months, in part due to him missing games through injury and suspension, but he reignited his Golden Ball bid with a tireless performance to help knock Manchester City out of the Champions League before netting his second stoppage-time winner in El Clasico of the season.

With Bellingham getting back to top form, England will be confident of finally getting over their major tournament hump at the European Championship, too. Right now, it remains his world, and we're just living in it.

2 - Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain/France)

At just 25 years old, Kylian Mbappé has already established himself as one of the most electrifying talents in world football. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has been a revelation since bursting onto the scene, dazzling spectators with his blistering pace, exceptional dribbling ability, and clinical finishing. Mbappé's performances for both club and country have been nothing short of sensational, with his scintillating displays in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League captivating audiences around the globe. A key figure in France's triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Mbappé's pedigree on the international stage is undeniable, further solidifying his status as a frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or.

3 - Harry Kane (Bayern/England) In 2023-24: 44 goals, 13 assists.

Kane's move to Bayern was meant to put him in a spot where he could finally end the wait for a first trophy of his career, but the Bavarians looked to be in real danger of finishing the season without any silverware after surrendering the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen. However, they showed resolve to beat Arsenal in the Champions League, and they have enough talent to go all the way in Europe.

Kane continues to score at a record-breaking rate and is averaging more than a goal a game in the league for the defending champions, so if he were do the Champions League-Euro 2024 double - or even come close to it - then a first Ballon d'Or could fill one of the gaps on his mantelpiece.

4 - Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund/Norway)

Another young sensation who has taken the footballing world by storm is Erling Haaland. The Borussia Dortmund striker has been a revelation since making the move to the Bundesliga, terrorizing defenses with his imposing physique, lightning-fast pace, and lethal finishing. Haaland's remarkable goal-scoring exploits have made him one of the most sought-after talents in world football, with his performances attracting interest from Europe's elite clubs. Despite his tender age, the Norwegian prodigy has already established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the game, with his eye-catching displays earning him plaudits from fans and pundits alike. With his meteoric rise showing no signs of slowing down, Haaland is undoubtedly a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or.

5 - Phil Foden (Manchester City/England) 
In 2023-24: 23 goals, 10 assists. Won Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.

With Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland having both missed chunks of the season through injury, Foden has stepped up in spectacular fashion for City, and is enjoying the best campaign of his already illustrious career to date.

He has scored two Premier League hat-tricks since the turn of the year to help edge Pep Guardiola's side towards a fourth-successive domestic title, though his stunning strike at Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid proved to be for nothing as City crashed out on penalties after the second leg.

That said, not only is he in contention for multiple trophies with City, Foden's form has also given him a great chance of starting for much-fancied England at Euro 2024, too. He's fallen back in the Ballon d'Or race, but he's not out of it yet.

Other Contenders

While Mbappé, Haaland, and De Bruyne are widely regarded as the frontrunners for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, there are several other players who cannot be overlooked in the race for football's ultimate individual accolade. Players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Robert Lewandowski have consistently performed at the highest level throughout their illustrious careers and remain formidable contenders for the prestigious award.

As the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony draws nearer, the footballing world eagerly anticipates the announcement of the winner, who will join an illustrious list of past recipients. With the competition fiercer than ever, only time will tell which of these exceptional talents will etch their name into footballing history as the best player on the planet.