Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes that the race for the 2024 Ballon d’Or is far from done and one player could “shake up” who wins the award.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or prize will be awarded to the best player in the 2023-24 season at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on 28th October.
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi scooped the sought-after Ballon d’Or award for a record-extending eighth time in his legendary career in 2023.
But the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominance over the Ballon d’Or prize has come to an end and neither player is likely to take home the award in 2024.
Ballon d’Or organisers France Football based the decision to award a player their top prize over their performances in the season rather than the calendar year.
Ferdinand makes his Ballon d’Or prediction
Vinicius Junior is widely tipped to lift the Ballon d’Or award for the first time in his career after an impressive season with Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old winger scored an impressive 24 times in 39 appearances across all competitions en route to Real Madrid winning La Liga and the Champions League.
But Vinicius Junior fell short of the 2024 Copa America title this summer, with Brazil crashing out of the tournament on penalties against Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
The Brazil international’s Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham is also considered among the favourites after his remarkable debut season in the Spanish capital.
Jude Bellingham, who was linked with Manchester United in the past, left Borussia Dortmund last summer and completed a blockbuster move to Los Blancos in 2023.
The 21-year-old England midfielder played a key part in Madrid’s season, with Bellingham scoring an impressive 23 times in 42 appearances for the club.
Speaking ahead of England’s win against the Netherlands, Rio Ferdinand praised the “decisive” impact that Vini Jr had in the Champions League final.
However, the United legend believes that Bellingham could challenge Vini Jr if he makes his mark in England’s Euro 2024 campaign in Germany.
“I don’t think anyone has done anything else to suggest that should be changing [Vini Jr to win the award],” Ferdinand told BBC Sport.
“I think Vinicius was the most decisive player [in the Champions League final]. He was a huge part of why Real won the league and won the Champions League.
“The big moments when they needed inspiration, he [Vinicius] was the guy that provided that. If Toni Kroos got Germany to the final, he could have been in the running.
“Listen, Jude, if he starts performing and continues scoring goals that he scored in that vein and England get to the final and win it, he’s definitely going to be in the shake-up as well.”
Bellingham for England at Euro 2024
Jude Bellingham has been a key part of England’s Euro 2024 campaign in Germany and the Real Madrid star has featured in all six matches so far for the Three Lions.
The England international scored the winner in the 1-0 win over Serbia in Group C before scoring a crucial injury-time equaliser against Slovakia in the round of 16.
Despite his important goalscoring contributions at Euro 2024, Bellingham has disappointed with his overall influence on the pitch for Gareth Southgate’s men.
However, the Three Lions midfielder is within touching distance of major silverware with England after Gareth Southgate’s side reached the Euro 2024 final.
Bellingham will be tipped to start for England in the Euro 2024 final against Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday.
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