October 29, 2024

The 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings are out. This year’s list features top players from major European clubs. Spain’s Rodri wins the award after an outstanding season with Manchester City. England’s Jude Bellingham and Brazil’s Vinicius Jr follow him in the top three. The rankings show individual talent. They also highlight the dominance of some clubs and countries.

2024 Ballon d’Or Rankings: Clubs and Nationalities

Here’s a comprehensive look at where each player stands, grouped by their club side and country:

Manchester City (England)

1. Rodri – 🇪🇸 Spain (Winner)

2. Erling Haaland – 🇳🇴 Norway (5th)

3. Phil Foden – 🏴 England (11th)

4. Ruben Dias – 🇵🇹 Portugal (23rd)

Manchester City tops the rankings. Rodri’s win is historic for the Spanish midfielder. Haaland, the Norwegian goal machine, ranks 5th. Foden and Dias further highlight City’s depth.

Real Madrid (Spain)

1. Jude Bellingham – 🏴 England (2nd)

2. Vinicius Jr – 🇧🇷 Brazil (3rd)

3. Dani Carvajal – 🇪🇸 Spain (4th)

4. Toni Kroos – 🇩🇪 Germany (9th)

5. Federico Valverde – 🇺🇾 Uruguay (17th)

6. Antonio Rudiger – 🇩🇪 Germany (22nd)

Real Madrid’s players make up an impressive part of the top 30, showcasing the club’s deep roster of talent. Bellingham’s rapid rise and Vinicius Jr’s electric play put them in the top three. Meanwhile, veterans like Kroos and Carvajal still show their quality.

Barcelona (Spain)

1. Lamine Yamal – 🇪🇸 Spain (8th)

2. Dani Olmo – 🇪🇸 Spain (13th)

Barcelona has two standout entries, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal ranked 8th. His dazzling skills and calmness have impressed all. They put him among football’s elite.

Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)

1. Florian Wirtz – 🇩🇪 Germany (12th)

2. Granit Xhaka – 🇨🇭 Switzerland (16th)

3. Alejandro Grimaldo – 🇪🇸 Spain (28th)

Bayer Leverkusen’s representation reflects the club’s growing influence in European football. Wirtz is a notable playmaker, while Xhaka and Grimaldo add experience to the list.

Arsenal (England)

1. Martin Odegaard – 🇳🇴 Norway (19th)

2. Bukayo Saka – 🏴 England (21st)

3. Declan Rice – 🏴 England (26th)

4. William Saliba – 🇫🇷 France (24th)

Arsenal’s young talents, Odegaard and Saka, keep the Gunners’ presence strong. Declan Rice and Saliba show the team’s rising trajectory under Mikel Arteta.

Inter Milan (Italy)

1. Lautaro Martinez – 🇦🇷 Argentina (7th)

2. Hakan Calhanoglu – 🇹🇷 Turkey (20th)

Inter Milan’s rankings are due to Lautaro Martinez. He led Argentina to international glory. Calhanoglu’s playmaking for both club and country earns him a well-deserved spot.

Atalanta (Italy)

1. Ademola Lookman – 🇳🇬 Nigeria (14th)

Special Mention: Ademola Lookman. The Nigerian forward shone at Atalanta this season. It earned him 14th place in the Ballon d’Or rankings. His creativity, speed, and goal-scoring have made him a fan favorite, especially among Nigerian fans. Lookman’s achievements underscore the rising prominence of African talent in European leagues.

Bayern Munich (Germany)

1. Harry Kane –  England (10th)

Harry Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich added firepower to the German giants. His clinical finishing keeps him in the top 10. This shows his adaptability and quality in a new league.

Paris Saint-Germain (France)

1. Kylian Mbappe – 🇫🇷 France (6th)

2. Vitinha – 🇵🇹 Portugal (27th)

Mbappe, who’s rumored to be heading to Real Madrid, ranks 6th after another prolific season. Vitinha’s role as a midfielder has also been crucial to PSG’s lineup.

Athletic Club (Spain)

1. Nico Williams – 🇪🇸 Spain (15th)

Nico Williams continues to make a name for himself, providing flair and skill at Athletic Club. His ranking reflects his growing reputation in La Liga and Spanish football.

Aston Villa (England)

1. Emiliano Martinez – 🇦🇷 Argentina (18th)

Argentina’s World Cup hero Emiliano Martinez ranks 18th. His spectacular goalkeeping for Aston Villa and his national team earned him this.

Chelsea (England)

1. Cole Palmer – England (25th)

Cole Palmer’s move to Chelsea has been promising. His ranking shows his potential as a rising star in England.

Borussia Dortmund / Roma

1. Mats Hummels – 🇩🇪 Germany (T-29th)

Veteran defender Mats Hummels is 29th. He had solid performances in the Bundesliga and Serie A.

Girona / Roma

1. Artem Dovbyk – 🇺🇦 Ukraine (T-29th)

Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk shares 29th place. His rising profile and strong performances in multiple leagues earned it.

Highlights and Key Takeaways

• • Club Dominance: Real Madrid and Manchester City top the rankings, showcasing their grip on European football.

  • Youth Rising: Talents like Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka prove age doesn’t limit talent.

  • Ademola Lookman’s Impact: He ranks 14th, showing his skill in Nigerian and African football. He is most likely to win CAF African Footballer of the year

  • Veterans Still Shining: Toni Kroos, Harry Kane, and Mats Hummels continue to excel, blending youth with experience on the list.