The yr was 2004 and AC Milan icon Andriy Shevchenko claimed his first and solely Ballon d’Or award as a result of the then 28-year-old grew to develop into Pavel Nedved’s successor after an unforgettable 2003-2004 season. Organised by France Football since 1956, the star-studded nominee itemizing of the Ballon d’Or featured a youthful Cristiano Ronaldo, who accomplished ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Paolo Maldini. Manchester United’s prodigal son bagged the twelfth spot in his Ballon d’Or debut. Ronaldo then went on to stage an epic rivalry with Lionel Messi as the two behemoths turned the Ballon d’Or race proper right into a near-two-way contest at their careers’ peak.
Ballon d’Or arch-rivals Messi and Ronaldo lifted the Golden Ball a combined 13 cases from the 2008 model. Securing his first nomination in 2006, Messi sealed his first Ballon d’Or title in 2009 to kickstart his four-year streak of worthwhile the Golden Ball. The record-time winner might be the reigning Ballon d’Or champion. Messi missed the cut back in 2022 nevertheless the Argentine stalwart masterminded La Albiceleste’s third FIFA World Cup triumph within the equivalent yr to stake declare on the Ballon d’Or trophy in 2023. A yr later, neither Messi nor Ronaldo have earned the Golden Ball call-up for the first time since 2003.
Changing of the guards is imminent in Paris as France Football and UEFA will crown the successor of Messi on the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards. Created by France Football journal, UEFA and Groupe Amaury will co-organise the renowned Ballon d’Or 2024 on 28 October on the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. First awarded to England good Stanley Matthews in 1956, legends of the attractive recreation along with Eusebio, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane have all obtained lifted the well-known trophy beforehand. Who is subsequent?
Mbappe vs Haaland: No podium finish for world-class strikers
Though Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is featured inside the prime 30 itemizing, the model new galactico of Los Blancos may finish behind Man City forward Haaland. Smashing knowledge at Etihad, Haaland accomplished the 2023-2024 season with a Premier League title and consecutive Golden Boot. Netting 38 aims ultimate season, the aim machine is the quickest participant inside the Premier League’s historic previous to 50 aims. Placed 18th inside the itemizing of all-time goal-getters inside the historic previous of the Champions League, Haaland is the youngest to smash 40 aims inside the celebrated match. However, a fruitful advertising and marketing marketing campaign in top-flight leagues doesn’t guarantee a Golden Ball this yr. Haaland didn’t fire for Man City in opposition to Real Madrid whereas French forward Mbappe guided Paris Saint Germain (PSG) to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Free-scoring Mbappe dumped Barcelona out of the Champions League nevertheless the France captain struggled to engineer PSG’s comeback in opposition to ultimate season’s Champions League runners-up Dortmund inside the semi-finals. At the UEFA Euro, Mbappe’s France side was eradicated by eventual champions Spain inside the semi-finals.
Why is Vinicius important the Ballon d’Or race?
Vinicius had a false start in his Ballon d’Or bid ultimate season. The Brazilian celeb was missing in movement when Carlo Ancelotti-coached Madrid have been decided to crown Karim Benzema’s heir on the Bernabeu. Regaining prime sort within the equivalent injury-marred season, Real Madrid’s No.7 scored a hat-trick in opposition to Barcelona inside the Spanish Super Cup remaining. Vinicius was moreover the ‘Real deal’ on the Champions League. The Los Blancos winger was instrumental inside the semi-final win over Bayern Munich. Fresh from powering Real Madrid to a record-extending La Liga title, on-song Vinicius scored the winner in opposition to Borussia Dortmund inside the UEFA Champions League remaining. In his comeback season, Vinicius netted 26 cases and chipped in with 12 assists. Adding important titles to his Real Madrid cabinet, Vinicius made a quiet exit from the worldwide stage. The Real Madrid celeb earned a brace in opposition to Paraguay inside the Copa America group stage. Suspended from the quarter-finals in opposition to Uruguay, Vinicius was a mere spectator as a result of the Golden Ball candidate seen Selecao bow out of the rivals on penalties.
Please, make methodology for Rodri
Despite being the simplest holding midfielder on the planet, why cerebral Spaniard Rodri stays to be not carefully tipped to win the Golden Ball this yr? A extreme contender for the distinguished award ultimate yr, Rodri obtained the treble with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. However, Rodri was upstaged by Erling Haaland collectively along with his 52-goal contribution in 53 video video games. The former Borussia Dortmund forward was second solely to Messi as a result of the FIFA World Cup 2022 winner took residence his record-eighth Ballon d’Or title in 2023.
Rodri has made it to the nominee itemizing on the once more of a formidable unbeaten run with Man City. Did you perceive? Guardiola’s males misplaced all of their three matches inside the Premier League ultimate season with Rodri being suspended. The Rodri-starrer Man City side ultimate misplaced a Premier League recreation in February 2023. The Spanish worldwide didn’t concede a single defeat on the UEFA Champions League ultimate season. Man City have been outclassed by eventual champions Real Madrid on penalties inside the quarter-finals after two thrilling attracts. Labelled as a result of the ‘good pc’ by Spain supervisor Luis de la Fuente, Rodri ended a trophy-laden season with La Roja defeating England inside the UEFA Euro 2024 remaining. “Please, give him the Ballon d’Or now!” – what Guardiola talked about about Rodri, who was moreover named the Player of the Tournament on the Euros.
Golden Ball for ‘golden boy’ Bellingham
Just like Mbappe, playmaker Jude Bellingham was on the right track for Real Madrid on his debut. Assisting Real Madrid’s goal-getters Rodrygo and Vinicius all by way of the season, Bellingham donned the well-known No.5 jersey and boy did he do justice to Zidane’s earlier shirt which obtained right here with a whopping £100 million ($131m) ticket on the Santiago Bernabeu. Coining Madrid’s sucker punch in opposition to Dortmund inside the Champions League remaining, the Englishman moreover propelled Los Blancos to Clasico wins over FC Barcelona inside the La Liga ultimate season. A central midfielder collectively along with his capturing boots on all through competitions, Bellingham contributed 27 aims for Madrid and England. With Vinicius missing a critical chunk of the 2023-2024 season by the use of hurt, Bellingham spearheaded the title bid for Los Blancos. Clutch for membership and nation, Bellingham produced 17 assists and headlined the UEFA Euro remaining. Sure a silver medal at Euros after a near-perfect season can not worth Jude a Golden Ball?
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