Ballon d’Or 2024 Power Rankings: Toni Kroos and Vinicius Jr. rise to the top of the pack, but is Lionel Messi moving up to No. 9?

Ballon d’Or

The competition for the Golden Ball is heating up, raising questions about which of football’s top stars are genuine contenders and which are merely pretenders.

Following a season marked by Lionel Messi clinching the World Cup, he secured his eighth Ballon d’Or in Paris last October. However, with the focus shifting, the spotlight is now on determining the recipient of the 2024 award.

As we approach the finish line, the race remains fiercely competitive. Amidst the ebbs and flows of the European domestic season, numerous elite players participate in international tournaments like the European Championship and Copa America this summer.

Considering the clash between Messi’s international triumph and Erling Haaland’s stellar performance at Manchester City last season, the impact of these international competitions on the 2024 Ballon d’Or race is significant. Additionally, there’s speculation about whether a player outside of Europe could claim the award for the first time, given the trend of top talents moving to emerging leagues across the globe.