The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will be named tonight. A gala ceremony will be hosted at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris tonight to crown the winner of the prestigious award. Based on every available metric Manchester City’s midfield general Rodri should claim the award. But the question is will he? Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior appears to the other favourite for the award. The storyline heading into tonight’s ceremony appears to be which player will claim the award. In my opinion, Rodri should win it but the Ballon d’Or isn’t a straightforward award to pick the winner of as we saw last season.
Last season saw Lionel Messi claim the award over Erling Haaland. Based on Erling Haaland’s exploits during the 22/23 season he arguably should have claimed the Ballon d’Or. But it wasn’t to be as Lionel Messi pipped Haaland to take home the prestigious award. Coming second to Messi in anything isn’t anything to be sneezed at. But last season’s result does show that there are other forces at play in the awarding of the Ballon d’Or.
That leads us to the 2024 race for the Ballon d’Or. Both Rodri and Vinicius Junior appear to be the two favourites for the award. Vincius Junior had an outstanding 23/24 season for Real Madrid. He was a key player in Madrid’s successful season in which they won the UEFA Champions League and La Liga title. For Rodri he took his game up another level as he was key for both club and country. If the deciding factor is performance for their country then Rodri’s form in helping Spain win the European Championships should see him claim the award. Vincius Junior played for Brazil at last summer’s Copa America but Brazil didn’t win the tournament. That could and should be a deciding factor in the Ballon d’Or. It remains to be seen if it will be.
In my opinion, Rodri should take home the Ballon d’Or tonight. He was the dominant player for Manchester City and Spain last season. Although he is out for the remainder of this season his dominant 23/24 campaign should be rewarded. But it remains to be seen if it will be. Vinicius Junior has staked his own claim for the award. The battle for the Ballon d’Or looks to be down to two players. Manchester City’s midfield general should take home the award. The result will be known tonight and it will surely spark debate no matter who claims the award.
