The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually by the French magazine France Football, is widely regarded as the most prestigious individual accolade in football. The first award was handed out in 1956 to Stanley Matthews, who was playing for England and Blackpool at the time. In recent years, Lionel Messi has emerged as a dominant figure in the award’s history, winning it multiple times, including the latest edition.
Recent Developments
Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d’Or title, outshining other top contenders such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have significantly shaped the award landscape since 2008, collectively winning 13 titles—Messi with 8 and Ronaldo with 5.
With both superstars potentially stepping aside for the 2024 edition, attention shifts to emerging talents who might take their place.
Fan Vote Insights
A recent fan poll conducted on the Ballon d’Or’s official website has highlighted the top contenders for the upcoming award:
- Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid) – The Brazilian winger garnered an impressive 64.6% of the fan votes. His standout performances last season, where he netted 15 goals in 26 La Liga matches and a total of 24 goals in 36 games across all competitions, contributed to Real Madrid’s triumph in La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup.
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) – Following Vinicius Jr. is Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who received 8.2% of the votes. Martinez had a stellar season, scoring 27 goals for Inter Milan, with 24 in Serie A and an additional 8 goals for Argentina in 2024. His impressive tally helped secure several titles, including Serie A and Copa America.
These insights reflect the shifting dynamics in football as new talents emerge to challenge the legacy of established stars, setting the stage for an exciting race in the upcoming Ballon d’Or awards.
