The favourites to win the Ballon d'Or 2024 - ranked

Lionel Messi's record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or success came as a surprise to absolutely nobody in the footballing world.

The legendary Argentine had led his country to the 2022 World Cup after all, where he arguably cemented his place as the greatest footballer to have ever played the game.

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe were his nearest challengers in 2023, both enjoying exceptional years of their own. Haaland scored 54 goals in all competitions during the eligibility period, while Mbappe led France to back-to-back appearances in the World Cup final, sensationally scoring a hat-trick against Argentina (albeit in an eventual losing effort) to scoop the Golden Boot.

All three are expected to be in contention once more in 2024, despite Messi's move to Inter Miami at club level, but there's plenty of other players who may feel they are in with a chance of being crowned the best player in the world.

Here's 90min's favourites for the award.

15. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

With Messi considered the best player ever by many, it's inevitable that he'll pick up votes in 2024 because of his reputation alone.

His performances are usually pretty damn good too though and, despite playing in MLS, Messi's lack of international retirement after winning the World Cup means that he will have another chance at international glory at the Copa America in the summer.

Based on how his time at Inter Miami is panning out, it would be a surprise for him to win the Ballon d'Or again.

14. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

He may been essentially ostracised from European football following his spat with Manchester United, but since moving to the Saudi Pro League Cristiano Ronaldo has just continued to do what he does best: score goals.

The top goalscorer in footballing history is tearing it up for Al Nassr and, if he continues his form into Euro 2024 with Portugal, could end his international career with yet another medal draped around his neck.

13. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Kevin De Bruyne has the quality to be much higher on the list but an injury means his 23/24 campaign hasn't been the best. He did not feature for 17 Premier League games at the start of the season but he has been superb on his return.

The Belgian is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, though, and he will be central to any trophies that Man City hoover up during the rest of the campaign.

12. Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)

Signed as a striker, but too good to be simply playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola opted to make Julian Alvarez an attacking midfielder at the start of the 2023/24 season. Boy oh boy did it pay dividends.

Alvarez is now not only one of world football's most-rounded forwards, he's also now one of the most wanted. And when Barcelona or Real Madrid come sniffing for you when you're on the up, it's usually because you've got Ballon d'Or potential.

11. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Manchester City's 2023 calendar year was nothing short of ridiculous - their Club World Cup success over Fluminense an English record fifth trophy.

Bernardo Silva has been front and centre to everything that's good about City, providing the stable base of consistent performances that allows the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku to sprinkle their magic every now and again.

A strong showing with Portugal at Euro 2024 and a host of trophies with Man City could really put Silva in the reckoning.

10. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Arsenal's rise under Mikel Arteta has been impressive to say the least, with the club now firmly established as one of the Premier League's top sides.

One of the star turns in north London has been Bukayo Saka, who has quickly matured into one of the finest wingers in the world. Also a key player for England, he could prove to be the difference as Arsenal look to end their 20-year Premier League title drought.

9. Lautaro Martinez (Inter)

Lautaro Martinez has been on the cusp of greatness for what feels like an eternity, but the pieces may finally be falling into place for the Argentine at Inter.

He has been running away with the top-scorer award in Serie A having netted 23 times by mid-March. He has found some consistency that had been lacking in the past, but a poor showing in the Champions League will count against him.

8. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

If you're looking for a model of consistency, look no further than the completely rejuvenated Antoine Griezmann.

Working under Diego Simeone seems to get the absolute best out of the Frenchman, who showed glimpses of his returning brilliance during France's run to the 2022 World Cup final.

He's scoring goals, is putting in player of the match performances, and is basically running the show for Atleti.

7. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

There are times when you're watching Vinicius Junior race down the left flank, drift past three players effortlessly, before squaring expertly to a teammate, and think "yep, this guy is the best footballer in world."

Those times have been getting ever-more frequent over the last few seasons, however with Bellingham now taking most of the limelight at Real Madrid once can expect Vini's brilliance to go slightly under the radar moving forward.

6. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

In what was considered a 'down year', Mohamed Salah managed to bag 28 goals and 14 assists in all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign. That is how good Mohamed Salah is at football.

The 2023/24 campaign has seen normal service resumed for Salah at Liverpool, and leading the club to another Premier League title, among other trophies, could be enough to sway voters into handing him a first Ballon d'Or win.

5. Rodri (Manchester City)

Whilst players in this role feel less likely to win the Ballon d'Or, Rodri has been so remarkably consistent in 23/24 that he has to be right in the conversation.

In a career-best campaign in 22/23, the defensive midfielder was the MVP for the best football team in the world. He is excellent defensively, he is a great passer of the ball, and he pops up with some very important goals.

4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Harry Kane is having an unusual season at Bayern Munich given they are set to lose the Bundesliga crown to Bayer Leverkusen, but it certainly is not the Englishman's fault.

He has been scoring regularly and will certainly be the league's top scorer, but the only trophy left on the table is the Champions League which is a big ask.

Winning the Champions League with Bayern and captaining England to Euro 2024 glory would go a long way to persuading voters that Kane's the man.

3. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

Surely it's only a matter of time before the best footballer of his generation wins the Ballon d'Or, right?

Mbappe has finished in the top ten in every year since 2017, enjoying a career-best third place finish in 2023, and is clearly a favourite of voters thanks to his performances in big games - he scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final and has well over 200 career goals to his name for PSG.

As the star player for the favourites to win Euro 2024, Mbappe is likely to put in some eye-catching performances which will surely garner plenty of votes.

2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

One word: goals.

Erling Haaland scores goals. A ludicrous amount of goals. A record-breaking amount of goals.

Those goals helped Manchester City to the treble, Haaland to second in the Ballon d'Or rankings and the Norwegian to the Gerd Muller Award too. The only thing that may hurt his chances of winning the award is Norway simply not being good enough to compete at Euro 2024.

If Man City can win the treble again with Haaland the focal point, perhaps that will be the deciding factor.

1. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Jude Bellingham's start to life at Real Madrid has been out of this world, ascending the Englishman from 'wonderkid' to 'superstar' status in the blink of an eye.

A game-winning brace in his first ever Clasico against Barcelona are two of over a dozen games Bellingham scored in just three months, quickly ascending him to the top of the mountain in the Spanish capital.

All eyes are on Bellingham, yet he doesn't appear to be fazed by anything. Quite the contrary, he appears to thrive in the pressure-cooker environment of the Santiago Bernabeu, and he could hold the key to finally ending England's long wait for trophy success at international level.

If Bellingham can secure a couple of major trophies, he could be a shoo-in for the Ballon d'Or. He will be central to any England success at Euro 2024.

READ THE 2023 BALLON D'OR RANKINGS IN FULL & OTHER AWARD WINS