The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, one of football’s most prestigious events, is set to take place in Paris on Monday night. However, a social media leak has stirred up speculation and excitement, with fans discussing the potential winner even before the official announcement. The leak, showing an alleged ranking of the top 12 contenders, places Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior in the lead, followed by Manchester City’s Rodri and Jude Bellingham.
How Did the Ballon d’Or Results Leak?
Leaked voting results for the Ballon d’Or have taken social media by storm. Just a day before the award ceremony, a list surfaced online, supposedly revealing the top finishers based on voting points. While such leaks are not unheard of, this year’s list quickly gained traction, raising questions about its authenticity.
The unconfirmed list shows Vinicius Junior at the top with 630 points, a notable lead over Rodri’s 576 points. This lead, while substantial, is still less than the record-breaking points held by past winners like Cristiano Ronaldo (946 points in 2017) and Luka Modric (753 points in 2018). This is especially significant as no pre-ceremony interview or photoshoot has reportedly taken place with the winner, unlike previous years where finalists were often informed in advance.
Who Will Win the 2024 Ballon d’Or?
According to the leaked list, Vinicius Junior is expected to be crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. His outstanding performance last season, contributing to Real Madrid’s success in both La Liga and the Champions League, made him a top contender. If he does win, he would become the first Ballon d’Or winner born in the 21st century, marking a new era in the award’s history.
While Lionel Messi, the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, didn’t make the shortlist this year, other football stars ranked high on the leaked list. Following Vinicius, Rodri, the Spain and Manchester City midfielder who celebrated a UEFA Euro 2024 victory, appears in second place. In third is Jude Bellingham, whose stellar performances for Real Madrid have garnered international attention.
The top 12, based on the unverified list, include:
- Vinicius Junior – 630 points
- Rodri – 576 points
- Jude Bellingham – 422 points
- Kylian Mbappe – 317 points
- Harry Kane – 201 points
- Erling Haaland – 195 points
- Lamine Yamal – 128 points
- Phil Foden – 29 points
- Dani Olmo – 25 points
- Florian Wirtz – 24 points
- Dani Carvajal – 17 points
- Antonio Rudiger – Points unknown
A Historic Moment for the Ballon d’Or
If the leak proves true, this year’s winner marks a significant shift in the football world. The men’s Ballon d’Or has been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for over a decade, with the award rarely going to other players since 2007. Both icons are absent from this year’s shortlist, signifying a new chapter and potential era of young talent.
In addition to the men’s Ballon d’Or, the Feminin prize will also be awarded, with Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati being the favorite. Other awards, including the Kopa Trophy and Yachine Trophy, will also be presented.
Final Thoughts
The excitement around this year’s Ballon d’Or goes beyond who will take home the trophy, as fans and analysts discuss the leaked results and what it means for the future of the award. Whether the leak is accurate or not, all eyes are on the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, where the official results will be revealed.
As the football community awaits the official announcement, this year’s Ballon d’Or symbolizes a changing of the guard, with new stars stepping into the spotlight. The 2024 Ballon d’Or will be memorable, not just for the trophy winner but also for how the information surfaced, reminding us of the intense global passion surrounding football’s top honors.
