Source: The Guardian
Summary
The 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees were announced by France Football, with 30 men’s and 30 women’s players named. Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé are among the top men’s contenders. Alexia Putellas and Ewa Pajor are favorites in the women’s category. Aitana Bonmatí, the three-time winner, was excluded due to injury. Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi for the most World Cup goals in fewer games. Dembélé, who won the 2023 Ballon d’Or, said he expects the award to stay at PSG. The ceremony will take place in London for the first time.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
Dembélé, Mbappé, Kane — same names, same debates.
Bonmatí out, Putellas in. Same story, different year.
World Cup loss, no trophy, still in the mix. That’s how it goes.
The trophy stays in Paris, or it doesn’t. That’s the script.
Author: Evan Null
Top Contenders
Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé are the leading men’s candidates for the Ballon d’Or. Dembélé, the 2023 winner, has a chance to retain the award after helping PSG win the Champions League. Mbappé, who overtook Messi for the most World Cup goals, is also in the mix. Kane had a standout season, scoring 73 goals and winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
Women’s Field
Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor, and Melchie Dumornay are the top women’s contenders. Putellas, a two-time winner, is expected to challenge for the title. Aitana Bonmatí, the three-time winner, was left off the list due to injury. She returned late in Barcelona’s quadruple-winning season, which included another Champions League title.
World Cup Impact
France’s World Cup semifinal loss to Spain affected the men’s nominees. Mbappé, who scored 12 World Cup goals, is still a top candidate. Dembélé and Mbappé both played for France, but the team didn’t win a major trophy. That hasn’t stopped them from being considered for the award.
PSG’s Influence
Nine PSG players are among the men’s nominees, including Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Dembélé, the 2023 winner, said he expects the trophy to stay at PSG. He named Kvaratskhelia, Kane, and Mbappé as his top three, but didn’t include himself in the list.
Historical Context
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is moving to London for the first time to mark its 70th anniversary. The award, created by France Football in 1956, is voted on by journalists from top-ranked countries. The criteria include individual performance, team success, and fair play. No goalkeeper was nominated, keeping Lev Yashin’s 1963 title intact.
