By Jorge Hernandez
In 2024 there will be a new king of football. For the first time since 2003 Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are out of the Ballon d’Or nominationswhich indicates that the Argentine star will give up his crown at the next awards ceremony.
On the other hand, the Brazilian Vinicius Jr., the French Kylian Mbappé and the German Toni Kroos are among the most recognized players who will opt for the Golden Ball 2024, within a list of thirty candidates with a large presence of stars of the Real Madrid, champion of the last UEFA Champions League.
Among the nominees announced on Wednesday are also names such as Erling Haaland, Martin Ödegaard, Declan Rice, Vitinha, Harry Kane, Federico Valverde and Antonio Rüdiger.
Six European champions with Spain also aspire to recognition, after winning the continental competition a few months ago: Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Dani Carvajal, Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Grimaldo.
The Latin presence is headed by the champion team of America, Argentina, who will be represented by the goalkeeper Emiliano “Draw” Martinez and the scorer Lautaro Martinez.
At a ceremony in which, for the first time since 2003, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Leo Messi will be nominated, Barcelona’s Spaniard Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 last July, will become the youngest player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
His name also appears in the nominations for the Kopa Trophy for best young player, alongside figures such as Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona) and Arda Guler (Real Madrid).
In the goalkeeper categoryThe list of ten nominees includes Spain’s Unai Simón, Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez again and Inter’s Swiss Yann Sommer, among others.
Regarding the coaches trophythe dominance is mainly Spanish, with Xabi Alonso, Pep Guardiola and coach Luis de la Fuente. They will face the Italians Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) and Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta) and the Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni.
The awards will be presented at a gala in Paris on October 28.
*With information from EFE.
Continue reading:
– Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti rules out pressure due to FC Barcelona’s great start to the season
– How many games will Jude Bellingham miss for Real Madrid due to his right leg muscle injury?
– Kylian Mbappé suffers hacking on his social networks: Out of context messages are published on his X account