Neymar Jr. has a clear favourite for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 28, 2024 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Since Kaka’s victory in 2007, the Ballon d’Or has been predominantly awarded to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with only Luka Modric and Karim Benzema breaking their streak in the last 15 years, underscoring Messi and Ronaldo’s exceptional dominance in the sport.
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But, this year a new name will be winning the award and Neymar has tipped Real Madrid forward and fellow Brazilian Vinicius Junior to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Speaking to Band Sports he said, “He had a great season, he certainly played a lot. I certainly will be rooting for him to win the Ballon d’Or, I don’t think there’s anyone else but him to win it.
“We hope that it comes back to Brazil soon and that it’s now with Vini, a guy who deserves it because he’s a hard worker and has suffered a lot throughout his life, but he’s surpassed all expectations and [coped with] all the criticism.
“Today, he has become a great idol and a great hero for us, so I am very happy, very happy that he’s carrying this Brazilian flag around the world.”
Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Coach of the Year are new trophies that have been added to the list of prizes this year, recognising the invaluable contribution of coaches to success on the pitch.
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2024 nominees
Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Türkiye, 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)
