The world’s footballing elite are set to gather in Paris on Monday for the 2023/24 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati leading the race for football’s most prestigious individual awards. For the first time in two decades, the Ballon d’Or men’s shortlist doesn’t include either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated the honor with 13 wins between them since 2008.
Vinicius Junior has emerged as a strong contender following a remarkable season with Real Madrid, where he played a crucial role in their Spanish league and Champions League successes. His skill on the field and his resilience in the face of numerous racially charged incidents in Spain, notably during an incident at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium, have garnered widespread admiration. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti recently endorsed Vinicius, calling him an “extraordinary” player with the character deserving of the Ballon d’Or, a sentiment many pundits share despite his quieter performance in Real’s 4-0 loss to Barcelona on Saturday.
Other notable contenders include Vinicius’s teammate Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s star midfielder Rodri, and prolific scorers Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe. Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, who helped secure multiple trophies last season, also has an outside shot.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati stands as the clear frontrunner after leading Barcelona and Spain to unprecedented success. Bonmati was central to Barcelona’s historic quadruple — winning the Spanish league, domestic cup, Supercopa, and the Champions League. She faces competition from Barcelona teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, both instrumental in the team’s dominance.
Winners will be chosen by an international panel of football journalists, with the ceremony set to take place in Paris, where the world will learn who claims the Ballon d’Or this year.
