The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by the French news magazine France Football. It is one of the oldest rewards and the whole world regards it as the most prestigious individual award for football players. France Football has been rewarding this award to the best player of the year since 1956. Although between 2010 and 2015, France Football agreed with FIFA, and the award temporarily merged with the FIFA World Player. It was then known as the FIFA Ballon d'Or. However, the partnership ended in 2016 and thereafter FIFA created The Best FIFA Men's Player as its own separate award. In this article, we will enlist the favourite candidates to win the Ballon d'Or 2021.

After the cancellation of the prize in 2020 because of the global pandemic, the Ballon d'Or is back again. Although the prize will not be handed out until December, players have started making their case for it. The continental championships will play a huge role this year along with individual performances for club and country. Lionel Messi still holds the award that he won in 2019. According to the performances so far by the players, SportzPoint ranks the favourites to win the award.

Also Read: Last 10 Ballon d'Or Winners List

Ballon d'Or 2021 power rankings: top 5 contenders to win it this year:

5. Romelo Lukaku (Belgium, Inter)

2019 Ballon d'Or ranking - 4th
Performance in 2021 - 22 goals, seven assists. Won Serie A.

Romelo Lukaku had a very good chance of winning this year's Ballon d'Or if only he won the UEFA Euro 2020 with Belgium. Although he still has a chance of winning it if he can lead Belgium to glory at the Nations League finals in October. However, the award still looks out of his grip and he may have to wait another year to clinch his first-ever Ballon d'Or.

4. N'golo Kante (France, Chelsea)

2019 Ballon d'Or ranking - 3rd
Performance in 2021 - one assist. Won Champions League.

Kante was one of the serious contenders for the Ballon d'Or 2021 ahead of the Euro. With a dominating France team which was also the favourites to win the Euro this year, Kante's name was popping on top of everyone's list. However, Switzerland had other ideas. A shocking exit for France in the quarter-finals also put N'golo Kante's Ballon d'Or winning hopes in jeopardy. However, Kante's Man-of-the-Match-winning displays in the latter stages of the Champions League might be enough to secure him a place in the top three.

Also Read: Football facts: Players who won the PL, UCL and World Cup

3. Robert Lewandowski (Poland, FC Bayern Munich)

2019 Ballon d'Or ranking - 2nd
Performance in 2021- 34 goals, four assists. Won Bundesliga & Club World Cup.

Undoubtedly, Robert Lewandowski would have won the Ballon d'Or in 2020 if the pandemic wouldn't have struck. He had a very good 2020 season where he won the treble and was also the top scorer for his club. Although things might have fallen apart this year after a quarter-final exit against PSG in the UCL. However, Robert still ended up as the top scorer in Europe and bagged the European Golden Shoe for the first time in his career. He had the best individual season around the top 5 leagues of Europe winning the domestic title and also the top scorer award. However, he couldn't take Poland to the knockout stages of the Euro which might be the only thorn on his way in lifting the Ballon d'Or 2021.

2. Jorginho (Italy, Chelsea)

2019 Ballon d'Or ranking - 15th
Performance in 2021 - Five goals, two assists. Won Champions League and the UEFA Euro 2020.

From not being the best player for either his club or his national team to being considered one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or 2021, Jorginho has come a long way. He played a key role in both Chelsea's champions league triumph and Italy's title-winning run in Euro. The world might witness a similar story to that of 2018 when Luka Modric beat all the odds and went on to win the Ballon d'Or.

Also Read: Football Facts: Players With Champions League, World Cup and Ballon d'Or

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)

2019 Ballon d'Or ranking - 1st (Winner)
Performance in 2021- 33 goals, 14 assists. Won Copa America & Copa del Rey.

Arguably, the best player in the world has won the most no.of Ballon d'Ors in history. The Argentine talisman has six awards under his belt which is more than anyone in history and is looking for the seventh. He won four consecutive awards from 2009-2012. However, he had achieved everything except a major international trophy until this Sunday, when he won the Copa America with Argentina defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final. It was the moment millions of football fans have been waiting the best part of 15 years for, as Messi finally got his hands on a major international trophy. He was also awarded the Player of the Tournament and the Top Scorer award at Copa America.

Messi's carried his supreme club form in 2021 into the international arena, and now Ballon d'Or number seven is pretty much on the cards. Before Copa America Messi had a pretty thin chance of winning this year's Ballon d'Or, but after adding Copa America under his belt he is now the strongest contender to win the Ballon d'Or 2021.

Also read: Football Gossip: Laporta's dream, Messi and Ronaldo at Barcelona

The 69th edition of the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, is set to take place on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the iconic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

This celebrated event, presented annually by France Football since 1956, honours the world’s finest football talent for their exceptional performances on the pitch.

Expanded Categories for 2025

In a groundbreaking move, the 2025 Ballon d’Or will introduce three new categories dedicated to celebrating the achievements of female players, marking a significant step toward gender equality in football recognition.

The full list of awards for 2025 includes:

• Men’s Ballon d’Or and Women’s Ballon d’Or: Honouring the best male and female players.
• Men’s Kopa Trophy and Women’s Kopa Trophy: Recognising the best young male and female players.
• Men’s Yashin Trophy and Women’s Yashin Trophy: Awarded to the top male and female goalkeepers.
• Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy and Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Celebrating the leading goal scorers in club and national team competitions.
• Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy and Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy: Honouring the best coaches in club and national team football.
• Men’s Club of the Year and Women’s Club of the Year: Recognising the top-performing clubs.
• Sócrates Award: Presented by L’Équipe and Peace and Sport, this award celebrates a player’s solidarity actions or contributions to societal causes.

The nominees for these prestigious awards will be announced in early August 2025. 

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri has lifted the 2024 Ballon d'Or award beating Vinicius Jr. who finished in the second position and Jude Bellingham who finished third in the final ranking.

This win has sparked serious controversies among football fans. Real Madrid also boycotted the award ceremony as they showcased their support toward Vinicius and no one represented Real Madrid at the Théâtre du Châtelet on Monday. 

Rodri, the Ballon winner, was instrumental in Manchester City's 2023-24 Premier League-winning campaign. The defensive midfielder made himself crucial in Manchester City's UEFA Super Cup 2024 and FIFA Club World Cup 2024 victory as well. 

Rodri also won the EURO 2024 with Spain and he was named the EURO 2024 Player of the Tournament. 

On the other hand, the second-placed Vinicius Jr. won the LaLiga 2023-24 and Supercopa de Espana with Real Madrid. The skillful forward performed exceptionally well in the UEFA Champions League 2023-24 as Real Madrid became the champions.

However, Vinicius had only scored 1 goal and made 2 assists in 3 matches for Brazil in the 2024 Copa America but Brazil was knocked out of the quarter-final, losing against Uruguay in the penalties. 

Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder who finished third, scored 19 goals in the 2023-24 LaLiga and he also had a supreme performance in Real Madrid's midfield in the UCL 2023-24. He was named the UCL 2023-24 Young Player of the Tournament.

Bellingham also featured for England in EURO 2024 but they lost to Spain in the final. 

As the controversies have arisen, here is a statistical comparison between the top 3: Rodri, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham.

Read Also | Ballon d'Or 2024 Winners

Statistical Comparison: Rodri, Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham

1. Rodri

Club/Nation: Spain / Manchester City

Matches played: 63

Matches Won: 50

Matches lost: 1

Goals: 12

Assists: 14

Accolades:

• Premier League 2023-24 Winner
• UEFA Super Cup Winner
• FIFA Club World Cup Winner
• UCL 2023-24 Quarter-finalist
• EURO 2024 Winner
• EURO Player of the Tournament
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball

2. Vinicius Jr.

Club/Nation: Brazil / Real Madrid

Matches played: 49

Matches Won: 32

Matches lost: 2

Goals: 26

Assists: 11

Accolades:

• LaLiga 2023-24 Winner
• UEFA Champions League 2023-24 Winner
• Supercopa de Espana Winner
• Copa America 2024 Quarter-finalist
• UCL Player of the Season 2023-24
• Included in LaLiga 2023-24 Team of the Season
• Included in UCL 2023-24 Team of the Season

3. Jude Bellingham

Club/Nation: England / Real Madrid

Matches played: 54

Matches Won: 35

Matches lost: 4

Goals: 27

Assists: 15

Accolades: 

• LaLiga 2023-24 Winner
• UEFA Champions League 2023-24 Winner
• Supercopa de Espana Winner
• EURO 2024 Runner-up
• LaLiga Player of the Season 2023-24
• UCL Young Player of the Season 2023-24
• Laureus World Breakthrough of the year 2024

Hello and welcome to another live coverage of Sportz Point. Tonight, we will cover the Ballon d'Or 2024 as all the eyes of football fans get ready to witness the football king post-Messi-Ronaldo era. 

This will be the first time in nearly 21 years that either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo have not been nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in football.

Players like Kylian Mbappe, Rodri, and Vinicius Jr will be the favourites to win the Men's Ballon d'Or while Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze and Alexia Putellas will be the favourites to win the Women's Ballon d'Or 2024.

Read Also | Ballon d'Or 2024: Full list of nominees and FAQs

Lamine Yamal is the only player nominated for both Men's Ballon d'Or and Kopa Trophy 2024. 

Stay tuned as we bring you all the updates and winners list of Ballon d'Or 2024 from our web desk.

Following his 2022 World Cup triumph, Lionel Messi secured his record 8th Ballon d’Or in 2023, the most by any player in history. With both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo absent from the nominees for the first time in 21 years, 2024 ushers in a new era of stars. As we await this year’s best male player, let’s revisit the remarkable records that helped legends like Messi and Ronaldo claim this prestigious award.

Read Also: Europe's Top International Goalscorers: Cristiano Ronaldo extends his lead

Winners from 2010- Present

2010: Lionel Messi- 77 goals and assists in 64 matches

⚽️✨ Throwback in 2010 when Lionel Messi won his 2nd Ballon d'Or! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/t0rimMhVtn

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 12, 2024

In a year that saw Barcelona miss out on the Champions League final and Argentina crash out of the World Cup in the Round of 16 not many people expected Messi to clinch the award but with a UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the numbers he put out in all the competitions he featured in it was only deserving of him to win the award.

2011: Lionel Messi- 96 goals and assists in 70 matches

This season Lionel Messi was utterly unbelievable helping Barcelona win the La Liga, and Champions League and the highest goal scorer in the competition with 12 goals to his name he became the competition's highest goal scorer in 3 consecutive seasons between 2009-2011. He was also La Liga’s highest goal scorer and assist provider with

Read Also:Lionel Messi's Top 5 most important free kick goals

2012: Lionel Messi- 113 goals and assists in 69 matches

2010 and 2012 Ballon d’Or ceremony - When Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or#ballondor pic.twitter.com/aa3kKxtf3s

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) August 16, 2023

Winning an award three years in a row is rare in any field, but Messi is not just rare—he’s generational. In 2012, the Argentinian set a record with 91 goals in a single calendar year. Despite Barcelona missing out on the Champions League and La Liga titles, Messi still delivered an outstanding season.

2013: Cristiano Ronaldo- 84 goals and assists in 59 matches

2013 Ballon d’Or ceremony - When Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or#ballondor pic.twitter.com/FwIvuj6C2U

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) August 3, 2023

After four years without a Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo ended his drought in 2013, despite Real Madrid going trophyless that season. Madrid finished second in La Liga with 85 points and were knocked out of the Champions League semifinals by Borussia Dortmund. Ronaldo's exceptional individual performance, with 34 goals in La Liga and 12 in the Champions League, earned him the prestigious award.

2014: Cristiano Ronaldo- 81 goals and assists in 60 matches

Real Madrid won their 10th Champions League trophy this season in an impressive semi-final display and finals display. Ronaldo netted 17 goals that season in the Champions League and was the highest goal scorer in the competition that season.

 2015: Lionel Messi- 78 goals and assists in 61 matches

Barcelona went on a treble-winning season with their manager Luis Enrique their second after the one they did in 2009. The Popular attacking trio known as MSN was at their peak during this season capping off an entertaining season with their Champions League final win over Juventus in Berlin, Germany.

Read Also:10 players who have won the most trophies in football history

2016: Cristiano Ronaldo- 71 goals and assists in 57 matches

Zidane’s appointment as Real Madrid's manager on January 6 2016 saw the Spanish club improve their performances. This saw them win another Champions League in June of that year losing the La Liga title by a point. What was most memorable about that year was Ronaldo leading Portugal to a first major title in the Euro 2016 against the host and favorites France.

2017: Cristiano Ronaldo- 65 goals and assists in 60 matches

🗓🥇 Cristiano Ronaldo won his 5th Ballon d'Or on this day in 2017. pic.twitter.com/7s60VY6dtm

— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) December 7, 2020

Real Madrid came into this season intending to win every title that came their way and they did just that. Finishing with 93 points on top of the La Liga table Ronaldo scored 35 goals in La Liga and 12 goals in the Champions League to help Madrid secure a double title that season.

2018: Luka Modric- 14 goals and assists in 58 matches

Midfielders rarely receive such honors with Iniesta and Xavi coming extremely close in 2010, Luka Modric had fewer goals and assists compared to other nominees. However, his overall performance that season earned him the award. He was instrumental in Madrid’s third straight Champions League win and led Croatia to a World Cup final that same year that alone was a huge achievement for the player.

Read Also:Top 10 players with the Most goals in a single season

 2019: Lionel Messi-68 goals and assists in 58 matches

Liverpool cannot forget anytime soon who Messi was to them at Camp Nou in the Semi-final of the Champions League that year. His performance that night was an embodiment of what he did consistently that season. He helped Barcelona win La Liga and he finished as the second-highest goal scorer in Europe that season.

2021: Lionel Messi- 61 goals and assists in 61 matches 

🏆 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝟕#BallondOr pic.twitter.com/86beGNBPGh

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 29, 2021

In his final season with Barcelona, Lionel Messi once again captivated the world of football, finishing as La Liga's top scorer with 30 goals and 9 assists. His only trophy that year was the Copa del Rey, secured with a 4-0 victory over Athletic Club, marking the end of an unforgettable era at the club. That was enough to earn him his 7th Ballon d'Or.

2021/2022: Karim Benzema- 65 goals and assists in 56 matches

Here is the image you've all been waiting for! Karim Benzema! #ballondor with @adidasFR pic.twitter.com/TJze0Km1s6

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 17, 2022

Pep Guardiola was set to win his first Champions League at Manchester City when Benzema led a resilient Madrid attack to pull off a comeback that will go down as one of the greatest showdowns in the competition's history.  He helped Madrid do a double that season winning the La Liga and Champions League. He finished as the highest goal scorer in both competitions scoring 27 and 15 respectively

2023: Lionel Messi- 63 goals and assists in 54 matches

Qatar will always hold a special place in Lionel Messi's memory, as it was the stage where he secured the final trophy needed to solidify his status as the greatest player of his generation. Despite his departure from European football, his goal-scoring form continued, yet it was the World Cup victory that earned him his 8th Ballon d'Or. In a season where Erling Haaland claimed a treble and set a Premier League record for most goals in a season, Messi's World Cup triumph was the decisive factor in securing the award.

This year, several contenders are in the race for the crown. The world watches to see if it will be Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, or Mbappé who takes over the mantle of dominance. Only time will tell.

France Football and L'Équipe, the organisers of Ballon d'Or 2024 announced the nominees for the prestigious award. This is the first time since 2003 that Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo were not nominated for the award. UEFA Champions League winners with Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior along with UEFA Euro 2024 winners with Spain, Rodri and Lamine Yamal are among the few who has been nominated this year.

Lamine Yamal is the only player to be nominated for both Men's Ballon d'Or and The Kopa Trophy.

When will Ballon d'Or 2024 will be awarded? 

The 68th edition of Ballon d'Or award will take place Monday 28 October at the grandiose Théâtre du Châtelet, located at the Place du Chatelet in Paris.

Full list of awards which will be given at the ceremony

• The Men's Ballon d'Or
• The Women's Ballon d'Or
• The Kopa Trophy (best player under 21 years of age)
• The Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper)
• The Men's Club of the Year Trophy
• The Women's Club of the Year Trophy
• The Men's Coach of the Year Trophy
• The Women's Coach of the Year Trophy
• The Gerd Muller Trophy (top scorer of the previous season)

The Men's Coach of the Year and Women's Coach of the Year awards are the new entries to the list of prizes.

Full list of nominees for Men's Ballon d'Or 2024

- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Hakan Calhanoglu (Türkiye, Inter)
- Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
- Ruben 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 Martinez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
- Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter)
- Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)
- Martin Odegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
- Dani Olmo (Spain, Leipzig / Barcelona)
- Cole Palmer (England, Manchester City / Chelsea)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
- Antonio Rudiger (Germany, Real Madrid)
- Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
- William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
- Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
- Vinícius Junior (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)

Full list of nominees for Women's Ballon d'Or 2024

- Barbra Banda (Zambia, Shanghai RCB / Orlando Pride)
- Aitana Bonmati (Spain, Barcelona)
- Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona / Chelsea)
- Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Barcelona / Arsenal)
- Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Paris Saint-Germain / Olympique Lyonnais)
- Grace Geyoro (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Manuela Giugliano (Italy, AS Roma)
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)
- Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)
- Giulia Gwinn (Germany, Bayern Munich)
- Yui Hasegawa (Japan, Manchester City)
- Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Olympique Lyonnais)
- Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City)
- Lindsey Horan (USA, Olympique Lyonnais)
- Lauren James (England, Chelsea)
- Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Alyssa Naeher (USA, Chicago Red Stars)
- Sjoeke Nusken (Germany, Chelsea)
- Ewa Pajor (Poland, VfL Wolfsburg / Barcelona)
- Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona)
- Gabi Portilho (Brazil, Corinthians)
- Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)
- Mayra Ramirez (Colombia, Levante / Chelsea)
- Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)
- Lea Schuller (Germany, Bayern München)
- Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)
- Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns)
- Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars)
- Tarciane (Brazil, Corinthians / Houston Dash)
- Glodís Viggosdottir (Iceland, Bayern München)

Read Also | PFA Awards 2024 winners list: From Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer to Grace Clinton and Khadija Shaw, here are all the winners 

Full list of nominees for The Kopa Trophy

- Pau Cubarsi (Spain, Barcelona)
- Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina, Manchester United)
- Arda Guler (Türkiye, Real Madrid)
- Karim Konate (Ivory Coast, Salzburg)
- Kobbie Mainoo (England, Manchester United)
- Joao Neves (Portugal, Benfica / Paris Saint-Germain)
- Savinho (Brazil, Girona / Manchester City)
- Mathys Tel (France, Bayern Munich)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Warren Zaire-Emery (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

Full list of nominees for Yashin Trophy

- Diogo Costa (Portugal, Porto)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Borussia Dortmund)
- Andriy Lunin (Ukraine, Real Madrid)
- Mike Maignan (France, Milan)
- Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia, Valencia)
- Emiliano Martinez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
- Unai Simon (Spain, Athletic Club)
- Yann Sommer (Switzerland, Inter)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

Men's Coach of the Year nominations

Xabi Alonso (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen), Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid), Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain national team), Gian Piero Gasperini (Italy, Atalanta), Pep Guardiola (Spain, Manchester City), Lionel Scaloni (Argentina, Argentina national team)

Women's Coach of the Year nominations

Sonia Bompastor (France, Olympique Lyonnais / Chelsea), Arthur Elias (Brazil, Corinthians / Brazil national team), Jonatan Giraldez (Spain, Barcelona / Washington Spirit), Emma Hayes (England, Chelsea / USA national team), Filipa Patão (Portugal, Benfica), Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands, England national team)

Nominations for Men's Club of the Year Trophy

Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Girona (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen (Germany), Manchester City (England), Real Madrid (Spain)

Nominations of Women's Club of the Year Trophy

Barcelona (Spain), Chelsea (England), NJ/NY Gotham (USA), Olympique Lyonnais (France), Paris Saint-Germain (France)