The Ballon d'Or: A Legacy of Excellence and 2024's Top Contenders

The Ballon d'Or is one of football's most prestigious honors, celebrating the achievements of the sport's finest players since 1956. Organized by France Football, this annual ceremony brings the world’s football elite together to honor the most outstanding performances over the past year. As we approach the 2024 ceremony, set for October 30 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, here’s a look at the history of the Ballon d'Or and this year’s top contenders for the crown.

The History of the Ballon d'Or

The Ballon d'Or began as an award exclusive to European players, with Stanley Matthews of Blackpool winning the inaugural trophy in 1956. Over time, the award’s scope expanded to include players from any nationality, provided they played for European clubs. This rule changed in 1995 when George Weah, representing Liberia, became the first non-European to win the Ballon d'Or. The year 2007 marked another evolution as France Football opened the award to players worldwide, emphasizing the global appeal and reach of the game.

Since 2018, a parallel Women’s Ballon d'Or has been awarded, with Ada Hegerberg becoming the first woman to claim the honor. This year, both the Men’s and Women’s Ballon d'Or, along with additional accolades like the Kopa Trophy for young players and the Yashin Trophy for goalkeepers, will once again be awarded at the iconic Paris venue.

2024’s Top Contenders for the Ballon d'Or

The 2024 Ballon d'Or race features several prominent players who delivered remarkable performances over the season. Here’s a look at ten players widely regarded as top contenders:

1. Vinicus jnr ( Real Madrid/ Brazil)
2. Rodri ( Manchester City/ Spain)
3. Jude Bellingham ( Real Madrid/ England)
4. Dani Carvajal ( Real Madrid/ Spain)
5. Erling Haaland ( Manchester City/ Norway)
6. Kylian Mbappe (PSG, Real Madrid/ France)
7. Ruben Dias ( Manchester City/ Portugal)
8. Lautaro Martinez ( Inter Milan/ Argentina)
9. Mats Hummels ( Borussia Dortmund/ Germany)
10. Phil Foden ( Manchester City/ England).