Key Takeaways:
– The Ballon d’Or 2024 will take place in Paris on Monday, bringing together top soccer players from around the world.
– With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo not nominated this year, the men’s award field is wide open.
– Aitana Bonmati, last year’s women’s category winner, is amongst the favorite contenders this year.
– An international jury of journalists will decide the winners, based on the top 100 men’s world soccer rankings.
– Brazilian Vinicius Jr. and Spanish Rodri are expected to be strong contenders for the men’s award.
The world of international soccer eagerly awaits the grand event of the Ballon d’Or 2024, set to take place in Paris on Monday. This widely-regarded gala event honors the best soccer players globally and is eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike.
Onlookers will recall that Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati clinched the main prizes across both the men’s and women’s categories last year. With Messi not on this year’s shortlist, speculation and anticipation are running high regarding who will take home this prestigious award.
Exploring the Men’s Nominees
Varying talents from across the globe make up the men’s nominees list this year. The standout names include Erling Haaland from Manchester City and Norway, Kylian Mbappe representing Real Madrid and France, Rodri from Spain, and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior. It’s worth noting that neither Messi nor Ronaldo have been nominated this year, marking a first since 2003.
The English Premier League also boasts significant representation with players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka, amongst others. The field remains wide open, and the world eagerly awaits to see who will emerge victorious.
Diving into the Women’s Nominees
On the women’s side, last year’s winner Aitana Bonmati leads the pack, with solid competition from a host of talented players based in the United States. The list includes names like Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Alyssa Naeher. Also in the running is Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Brazil’s Tarciane, adding further diversity to the pool of strong contenders.
The Selection Process
Deciding the winners involves an international jury of journalists, each selecting ten players from FIFA’s top 100 men’s world soccer rankings. The order of merit determines the points each player gets, culminating in a full ranking of the top 30 players.
Spotlight on Favorites: Vinicius Jr. and Aitana Bonmati
Real’s Vini Jr., known for his exceptional skills, is expected to claim the men’s award, having scored 24 goals with 11 assists across all competitions last season. However, stiff competition comes from City’s midfielder Rodri. He played a significant role in his team’s success last year and was named player of the tournament at UEFA Euro 2024.
The women’s category sees Aitana Bonmati as a strong contender. The World Cup winner has had another strong season with Barcelona and is expected to fiercely defend her crown. However, she faces tough competition from her team-mate Caroline Graham Hansen and Mallory Swanson.
Apart from the main categories, other awards will recognize the best young talent under 21, the best goalkeeper, head coach of the year, top scorer, clubs of the year, and the Socrates humanitarian prize.
The excitement is building up as the world of soccer gathers in Paris to honor the best of the best. As the countdown begins, the soccer fraternity worldwide keenly watches and waits in anticipation. Who will steal the show this year? We shall soon find out.