The competition for the prestigious Golden Ball is heating up, with speculation swirling around which footballing giants stand as genuine contenders and which are merely contenders in nамe.

Following a season highlighted by Lionel Messi clinching his eighth Ballon d’Or following his triumph in the 2023 edition held in Paris last October, the focus has now shifted to the 2024 award. The football world has swiftly moved forward, intensifying the anticipation as we inch closer to unveiling this year’s recipient.

As we approach the final stages of the race, anticipation mounts. Amidst the ebbs and flows of the European domestic season, the forthcoming campaign is set to witness a flurry of international tournaments, including the European Championship and Copa America this summer, involving many of the world’s top players.

Reflecting on a year characterized by the duel between Messi’s victorious World Cup campaign with Argentina and Erling Haaland’s remarkable season with Manchester City, it begs the question: how much will these international competitions influence the outcome of the 2024 Ballon d’Or race? Moreover, could we witness a historic win by a player plying their trade outside of Europe, as an increasing number of football’s elite talents venture into emerging leagues across other regions of the globe?

Despite Erling Haaland’s exceptional efforts to clinch the 2023 Ballon d’Or, he narrowly missed out on the title. Can he finally break through this time? The prospects appear dimming, as despite his impressive goal-scoring prowess, he has endured several lackluster performances in 2024. While he reмɑιns in contention for a domestic double, his team’s elimination from the Champions League quarter-finals is likely to impact his chances significantly.

Moreover, Haaland faces a significant hurdle as he will once again miss out on the major summer tournament after Norway’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024. With the possibility that standout performances by other contenders in Germany could overshadow his achievements, his absence from the international stage may further diminish his prospects in the final rankings.

Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich was intended to provide him with the opportunity to secure his first trophy, yet Bayern’s failure to clinch the Bundesliga title raised doubts about their silverware prospects. However, their victory over Arsenal in the Champions League showcased their resilience, and with their abundance of talent, they remain strong contenders for European success.

Despite the setback, Kane continues to maintain an impressive scoring rate, surpassing a goal per game in the league for the reigning champions. If he manages to achieve success in both the Champions League and Euro 2024, or even comes close to it, it could mark a significant milestone in his career, potentially earning him his first Ballon d’Or and filling a notable gap in his collection of accolades.

The long-running saga is nearing its conclusion, as it has been revealed that this will mark Mbappe’s final campaign for PSG in pursuit of the Ballon d’Or, with his anticipated transfer to Real Madrid expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. Mbappe’s scoring prowess has already positioned the reigning Ligue 1 champions as frontrunners to retain their title, and their aspirations for Champions League glory have been ignited following his decisive brace in a comeback victory against Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

Furthermore, with France widely regarded as the favorites to triumph in Euro 2024, the 25-year-old may be poised for a spectacular conclusion to the 2023-24 season, potentially bringing him within reach of his first Golden Ball.