“The most decisive player” - Rio Ferdinand names clear frontrunner for 2024 Ballon d'Or
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand reckons Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior is the frontrunner to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The 23-year-old is coming off a solid season with Los Blancos.
In 39 games across competitions in an injury-plagued campaign, Vinicius contributed 24 goals and 11 assists as Los Blancos won three titles, including their second La Liga-UEFA Champions League double in three years.
The 23-year-old, though, couldn't replicate that same success with his country at the ongoing 2024 Copa America in the United States. In Vinicius' absence due to suspension, Brazil crashed out on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-finals after a goalless 90 minutes.
Nevertheless, Ferdinand thinks Vinicius has the strongest credentials of any player to win this year's Ballon d'Or (as per Madrid Zone):
“I don’t think anyone has done anything else to suggest that they should win Ballon d’Or over Vini Jr.. He was the most decisive player & huge reason why Real won CL & La Liga. If Jude keeps scoring & England win EUROs, he’s definitely going to be in mix too.”
Ferdinand also named his compatriot Jude Bellingham as one of the contenders. The 21-year-old has helped England to the Euro 2024 semi-final - where they take on the Netherlands in Dortmund - on Wednesday (July 10). The winner of the game will take on Spain in Berlin on Sunday (July 14).
Lamine Yamal could be a darkhorse for the 2024 Ballon d'Or
The 2024 Ballon d'Or race could be an enticing one with the entry of Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old Barcelona wonderkid who has played a key role in taking Spain to the Euro 2024 final.
On Tuesday (July 9), Yamal scored a brilliant equaliser to become the youngest Euro scorer. Earlier, he had become the youngest assist-provider in the 3-0 group-stage win over Croatia.
In five games, the Barcelona teenager has registered a goal and three assists as he looks to become the youngest player to win the European Championship, where La Roja are looking to win a record fourth title.