Surprising picks made by top football figures among the 2024 Ballon d’Or Nominees
The greatest soccer award show honors the achievements of the top players, teams, and, as of late, managers. It takes place annually. From the current Champions League winners to the winners of Euro 2024 and Copa América 2024, the nominees are the best in the business for their clubs and nations.
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2024 Nominees
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Turkey, Inter)
- Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
- Rúben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)
- Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Dnipro / Girona / Roma)
- Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)
- Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
- Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)
- Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter )
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)
- Martin Ødegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
- Dani Olmo (Spain, Leipzig / Barcelona)
- Cole Palmer (England, Manchester City / Chelsea)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
- Antonio Rüdiger (Germany, Real Madrid)
- Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
- William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
- Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)
- Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Granit Xhaka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
Lionel Messi names his surprise pick for the Ballon d’Or
Former Barcelona player Lionel Messi has announced his selection for the next Ballon d’Or.
The Argentine’s pick may surprise many.
Messi believes Lautaro Martínez is the most deserving candidate for the next ‘Golden Ball’ award.
Lautaro had a fantastic year in 2023/24, scoring 27 goals and assisting seven times across all competitions for Inter Milan.
As much proved enough to help secure for the Nerazzurri their latest Scudetto crown, with Lautaro as the top scorer in the Italian top-flight.
The 27-year-old’s international achievements, however, have proven to be the deciding factor in Messi’s support for Lautaro as world football’s finest.
Speaking after Argentina’s 6-0 thrashing of Bolivia last week, the Albiceleste captain cited his compatriot’s winning goal in the Copa América final, which propelled him to top scorer status, as the driving force behind his Ballon d’Or claim.
“Lautaro Martinez had a fantastic year; he scored in the final, was the Copa América’s leading scorer, and he deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone. I hope Lautaro wins the Ballon d’Or; he deserves it more than anyone. If it does not occur now for him, I am confident it will come later.”
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