10 candidates for the 2024 Ballon d'Or

Toni Krooshad a beautiful farewell at club level when he won the treble of La Liga, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League with Real Madrid. But the 34-year-old midfielder and the German team lost to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. The early elimination in the home tournament left Kroos at a disadvantage in the race for the Golden Ball.

Erling Haalanddeclined in the 2023-2024 season, but still scored 27 goals to win the Premier League Golden Boot. The Norwegian striker became the sixth player to win this award for two consecutive seasons, after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah. The fact that the Norwegian team did not qualify for Euro 2024 is a minus point for Haaland when competing for individual titles.

Phil Fodenhad the most explosive 2023-2024 season of his career, with eight assists and 19 goals in 35 games. He was a key factor in helping Man City set a record of winning the Premier League four times in a row and was voted the best player of the tournament. But his lackluster performance, with no goals or assists in seven games at the Euros, makes it difficult for the 24-year-old to win the Ballon d'Or.

Kylian Mbappescored 44 goals and 10 assists in 48 games, helping PSG win three domestic titles: the French Cup, Ligue 1 and the French Super Cup, before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer. But the French striker is unlikely to win the Golden Ball because he was lackluster at Euro 2024, with only one penalty and one assist.

Lionel Messiwas shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or as Argentina successfully defended their Copa America 2024 title, despite scoring just one goal. At club level, the 37-year-old star has 14 goals and 11 assists in 15 games for Inter Miami.

Lamine Yamalmade a lot of media headlines when he set a series of records at Euro 2024, including youngest player to play, youngest player to assist, youngest player to score, youngest player to play in the final, youngest player to assist in the final and youngest player to win the Euro. The 17-year-old midfielder scored one goal, made four assists and was voted the best young player of the tournament. But the fact that Barca went through a trophyless season made it difficult for Yamal to win the Golden Ball.

Dani Carvajalis the only player on the shortlist to win both the Champions League and an international trophy. He is one of three Real Madrid players in Spain’s Euro 2024 winning squad, alongside Nacho and Joselu – two substitutes. So if the Ballon d’Or were judged on collective success, the 32-year-old defender would be in with a good chance of winning it.

Jude Bellinghamenjoyed a successful first season at Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals and providing 12 assists in 42 games in all competitions, helping the club win La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League. The 20-year-old midfielder would have been a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or had England beaten Spain in the Euro 2024 final, but that didn't happen. However, Bellingham still has plenty of time to become the first English player to win the individual award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Rodrias important to Spain as Pep Guardiola's Man City, in their quest to win Euro 2024 and the Premier League. In the past 16 months, the midfielder has lost just one game for club and country - when City lost the FA Cup final to Man Utd. Being named Euro 2024's best player has cemented Rodri's place in the Ballon d'Or race.

Viniciusscored six goals on the way to winning the Champions League, including one in the 2-0 final win over Dortmund, and 15 in 28 La Liga games. But Brazil's elimination in the quarter-finals of the Copa America was a minus for the 24-year-old striker's ambition to win his first Ballon d'Or.

The Ballon d'Or is awarded by the magazineFrance Football, first in 1956. But from this year, UEFA reached an agreement with Group Amaury, the owner of media companiesFrance FootballandL'Equipe, to co-host the Ballon d'Or from 2024, to enhance the global stature and reach of the awards.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or award will be presented on October 28 at the Châtelet Theater, Paris (France).