There were some real surprises in the 2024 Ballon d’Or short-list of 30 candidates, as Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman , Inter pair Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu were nominated, but Milan stars Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao missed out.
The winner will be announced during the prestigious ceremony in Paris on October 28, along with the Yashin Award for goalkeepers, trophies for best young player, coach and women’s player.
It ultimately is all about the Ballon d’Or itself, which goes to the next player of the calendar year in world football.
For the first time since 2003, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in the final list.
Former Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who moved to Galatasaray today, was also excluded from the Ballon d’Or nominees, along with Milan and France left-back Theo Hernandez and his club teammate Rafael Leao.
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There are no Italian representatives, other than Gianluigi Donnarumma for the Yashin Award, but Inter should perform well with Lautaro Martinez, especially after his top scorer status when Argentina won the Copa America and he was Capocannoniere in the Serie A title run.
Hakan Calhanoglu is also there for the Nerazzurri, while Artem Dovbyk and Mats Hummels are only new arrivals at Roma.
The big surprise is the presence of Lookman, who scored a hat-trick when Atalanta won the Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen.
The absolute favourite to win is said to be Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid after their Champions League and LaLiga triumph under Carlo Ancelotti.
2024 Ballon d’Or nominees
Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey, Inter)
Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
Ruben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)
Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, 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, retired)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter)
Kylian Mbappé (France, PSG, Real Madrid)
Martin Odegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
Dani Olmo (Spain, RB Leipzig, Barcelona)
Cole Palmer (England, Manchester City, Chelsea)
Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
Antonio Rudiger (Germany, Real Madrid)
Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
Vinicius Jr (Brazil, Real Madrid)
Vitinha (Portugal, PSG)
Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)
Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)
Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
– footballitalia.net
Who do you think would win? Let us know below in the comment section..
Fort he first time since 2003, Messi or Ronaldo’s name would be missing….. End of an Era (unbelievable Golden era to two GOATS)……
