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The 2024 Ballon d'Or race is heating up and its several contenders will need to make their mark in the international tournaments that are set to take place this summer. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo moving out of Europe over the past year, several young players will have their eyes on the coveted prize.
With Euro 2024 and Copa America just around the corner, the big names from European club football will have their work cut out for them in the next two months. International tournaments have historically had a considerable impact on the Ballon d'Or and could potentially sway the odds this year.
Real Madrid likely to dominate the 2024 Ballon d'Or standings
Real Madrid have been exceptional over the past year and are arguably one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. Under Carlo Ancelotti, several talented youngsters have hit their peak and will likely feature in this year's Ballon d'Or race.
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Without further ado, here are the five favourites to win the Ballon d'Or in 2024.
#5 Phil Foden (Manchester City/England)
With an impressive 28 goals to his name for Manchester City in the 2023-24 season, Phil Foden has emerged as one of the Cityzens' most important players this season.
Pep Guardiola was unable to call on his talisman Kevin De Bruyne for significant parts of the season and placed his trust in Phil Foden to make up for the Belgian's absence. Foden responded with several crucial goals in the latter stages of the season and also bagged eight assists in his side's triumphant Premier League campaign.
Phil Foden will play an important role for Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024 but will face stiff competition in England's midfield. Foden has hit a purple patch, however, and could bolster his Ballon d'Or credentials by taking the Three Lions to victory.
#4 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany)
Toni Kroos has carved out a legacy for himself at Real Madrid and has become a bonafide legend at the club. The German midfielder called time on his illustrious career last month and gave Real Madrid fans a brilliant campaign as his parting gift.
Kroos picked up eight assists in La Liga and delivered exceptional Champions League performances, carrying Real Madrid to their 15th European title. The midfielder will also play a key role for Germany in Euro 2024 and might have an outside chance in the Ballon d'Or race this year.
#3 Kylian Mbappe (PSG/France)
Kylian Mbappe remains one of Europe's best players at the moment and could potentially sway the race his way with an exemplary performance at Euro 2024. Mbappe has delivered for France on several occasions in the past and is perfectly capable of steaming past defensive lines with ease this summer.
Mbappe has scored 27 goals in Ligue 1 for PSG this season, with the Parisian giants defending their league title comfortably. PSG flattered to deceive in the Champions League, however, despite Mbappe's eight strikes in the competition.
France are one of the favourites to win Euro 2024 this year, and Kylian Mbappe is set to lead the forward line for his country. With the creative talents of Antoine Griezmann behind him, Mbappe may well dominate the competition this year.
#2 Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)
Jude Bellingham had high expectations to live up to when he joined Real Madrid, and it is safe to say that he has easily exceeded all of them. The English sensation was a double pivot at Borussia Dortmund but has now transformed into a formidable goalscoring midfielder under Carlo Ancelotti.
Bellingham scored an astonishing 19 goals in La Liga and pulled off several late strikes to win games for Real Madrid. The midfielder's exploits played a crucial role in Real Madrid's league triumph and also won him the La Liga Player of the Year award.
Jude Bellingham could play a similar role for England at Euro 2024, and his penchant for scoring crucial goals will hold him in good stead in the competition.
#1 Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
With his heroics in the Champions League final propelling Real Madrid to yet another triumph, Vinicius Junior is currently leading the charts as one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or. The Brazilian winger has scored 26 goals for Real Madrid this season and has gone from strength to strength at the club.
The Real Madrid star has a young core of Brazilian talent around him at Copa America this year but does face stiff opposition from the likes of Argentina and Uruguay in the tournament.
Vinicius Junior is virtually unstoppable at his best, however, and will firmly establish himself as a Ballon d'Or frontrunner by winning Brazil's first Copa America title in five years.
