It’s an award that has been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the best pat of two decades – but a new name will be on the golden ball.
Argentinian ace Messi and his great rival Ronaldo have shared the Ballon d’Or for 13 of the last 16 years eight for Messi, five for Ronaldo – but with the legendary duo now in the twilight of their respective careers and playing their trade outside of the big leagues then it means the most prestigious individual prize in football is heading into a new era.
But the big question is who will claim the glittering prize and the glitzy awards bash in Paris? Kylian Mbappe looked most likely for a return to his home city in the French capital but but his Euro 2024 nightmare and final season disappointment at Paris-Saint Germain after another Champions League failure means he’s unlikely to be anywhere near the podium on Monday night.
And instead it’s his new Real Madrid team-mate and Brazil star Vinicius Jr and Brazil star who has designs on the crown himself.
For the Premier League, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is a contender, such has been his remarkable goalscoring record at the Etihad, but the man most likely may well be his Etihad pal Rodri, outstanding in City’s Premier League triumph and a key conductor in Spain’s Euro 2024 success. With all that being said, we asked our Record Sport writers for their 1-2-3 ahead of the ceremony, and to decide on their most likely winner too. Here’s what they came up with…
Michael Gannon
- Jose Vinicius Junior
- Lamine Yamal
- Erling Haaland
It’s still a bit strange not seeing Messi and Ronaldo fighting it out so the trophy is more wide open these days. Vinicius Jr is the stand out though. The Real Madrid man has been outstanding over the last 18 months and is probably the best player on the planet right now. Super John McGinn might just be edged into fourth by Euro 2024 star Yamal and Man City scoring machine Haaland.
Fraser Wilson
- Rodri
- Vinicius Junior
- Lamine Yamal
It’s a toss up between Spain and Manchester City ace Rodri and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior for the award which is based on the 2023-24 season rather than the calendar year.
Rodri is so influential for club and country and took the top honour with both last season as his dominating performances on an off the ball in the middle of the park helped City win the Premier League and Spain storm to Euro 2024 glory. He may be injured now but what a season the 28-year-old had coming so soon after he almost drowned in his own tears when Scotland beat Spain at Hampden.
Mark Pirie
- Rodri
- Vinicius Jr
- Lamine Yamal
He may be sidelined through injury, but Rodri was the key man for Man City as they claimed the Premier League title again while playing a key role for Spain in their Euro 2024 triumph. Vinicius Jr has a Champions League and La Liga winners medal to his name and make a strong case to take home the Ballon d’Or as well. Lamine Yamal has been the standout for Barcelona this season after returning from Germany with a Euros winners medal in his pocket.
Gavin Berry
- Rodri
- Vinicius Jr
- Erling Haaland
The tendency is to go for the flair players when it comes to these awards but, after his Hampden tears dried up, the influence of Man City midfield enforcer Rodri for both club in their English Premier League success and country in helping Spain win Euro 2024 can’t be underestimated. It would be the perfect pick me up from his injury nightmare.