Ballon d'Or 2024 Nominees Unveiled: Bellingham Joins Vinicius Jr. and Rodri in Intense Competition

The world of football has reached a turning point with the Ballon d'Or 2024 candidates revealed by France Football on Wednesday, September 5, 2024. For the first time since 2003, the GOATED pair of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are absent from the nominees. This year's list marks the end of an era and opens a new chapter for the esteemed prize. All eyes are on the upcoming generation, who will strive to replicate the heroics of both Ronaldo and Messi if they look to win the Ballon d’Or.

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List of all the nominees for the Ballon d'Or 2024 award

• Jude Bellingham
• Hakan Calhanoglou
• Kylian Mbappe
• Erling Haaland
• Lamine Yamal
• Dani Carvajal
• Ruben Dias
• Artem Dobvyk
• Phil Foden
• Alejandro Grimaldo
• Mats Hummels
• Harry Kane
• Toni Kroos
• Ademola Lookman
• Emiliano Martinez
• Lautaro Martinez
• Martin Odegaard
• Dani Olmo
• Cole Palmer
• Declan Rice
• Rodri
• Antonio Rudiger
• Bukayo Saka
• William Saliba
• Federico Valverde
• Vinicius Jr.
• Vitinha
• Nico Williams
• Florian Wirtz
• Granit Xhaka

Renowned for their outstanding Ballon d'Or achievements, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have profoundly affected football history. While Messi's 16 nominations and 8 wins beginning in 2006 contrast with Ronaldo's record 18 nominations since 2004, including five victories, Their omission among the nominees for 2024 marks a turning point in the esteemed awards's history. Now playing outside of Europe, Ronaldo rules the Saudi Pro League at 39 while Messi, at 37, seeks to heal from injury with Inter Miami in the MLS, thereby ushering a new chapter in their remarkable careers.

Frontrunners Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodri's exceptional accomplishments in the 2024 Ballon d'Or race sharpen the competition. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are joining the fight and providing complexity to the rivals. Their outstanding performances in the previous season prepared the ground for an engaging struggle. The recipient of the esteemed prize will be announced on October 28, 2024, in France, therefore offering a thrilling ending to this much awaited event.