Tag: ballon d'or

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Ballon d’Or 2024: Lionel Messi Names Shock Candidate That Deserves To Win Award

Lionel Messi, the world-famous Argentina captain, has said his team-mate Lautaro Martinez deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or more than any other player.

Martinez is among the 30 nominees for the prize alongside Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodri and Dani Carvajal.

With the ceremony only 12 days away, Messi has shared his thoughts on who will replace him as the winner.

The Inter Miami superstar, who claimed a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or last year, won’t be defending his title this year.

Instead, Messi has backed Martinez, who finished 21st and 20th in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2021 and 2023.

The 27-year-old scored 27 times and provided seven assists in 44 games across all competitions last season, which included 24 goals and six assists in the Serie A as Inter Milan won the Scudetto.

He also scored one and turned provider into another in Nerazzuri’s successful Supercoppa Italiana run.

“He had a spectacular year, he scored in the final, he was the top scorer in the Copa America.

“He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else,” Messi said via Goal.

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Ballon d’Or: I Would Vote For Ademola Lookman – Atalanta Coach, Gasperini Says

Gian Piero Gaseperini, the Atalanta manager, has said his Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman.

Lookman is the only African player nominated for the award this year.

The Super Eagles wrote his name in history books, after he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.

Gasperini has now said that feat is enough for him to vote Lookman.

He told Sky: “My personal Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola Lookman.

“His magic skills helped us to win the Europa League.”

The winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will be announced on October 28.

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Ballon d’Or Organizers Announce New Rule For Winner

The organizers of the Ballon d’Or awards, France Football, are set to implement a new rule from this year.

With over two weeks left before the ceremony takes place on October 28, there have been whispers about who will take the prize home.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior is widely expected to be named winner ahead of names like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodri.

Vinicius was outstanding as Los Blancos won the LaLiga and Champions League titles last season.

But according to The Athletic correspondent, Mario Cortegana, the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will not be interviewed by France Football before the award is held – as it was always the tradition.

Cortegana claims the winner will know he has won when the envelope is opened during the live ceremony.

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Ballon d’Or: ‘He’s A Leader’ – Matthaus Names Player That Deserves Award More Than Vinicius

Lothar Matthaus, the Germany legend, has insisted that Rodri of Manchester City deserved to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of Real Madrid Vinicius Junior.

According to Matthaus, the Spain international is a leader, who behind the reason for this country to winning the Euro 2024 and Man City winning the Premier League.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or will be announced in October and both Vinicius and Rodri are among top contenders for the award.

Speaking about the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Matthaus said (as per Bild):

“It is the case in this election that those who score goals are always more in the spotlight than others. With victories in the Champions League and the Spanish championship, he has won titles with Real Madrid that justify this award.

“Personally, I only see Vinicius in third place in my ranking of this year’s world footballers.

“For me, Rodri deserved the Ballon d’Or more than Vinicius. He was the thinker and leader of European champions Spain, and he also won the Premier League with Manchester City.

“These are two titles that his teams won, thanks to his strong performances. That is why he was the outstanding player of the year for me.”

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Ballon d’Or: Calvin Bassey Was Jumping When I Told Him – Lookman On Sharing News Of His Nomination

Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles forward, has revealed that his colleague, Calvin Bassey was the first player he told when he learned about his nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

Lookman was recently named among the 30 candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Atalanta winger is competing against top players like Vinicius Júnior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal.

Speaking with the Counter Attack Podcast, Lookman said: “I was on the bus on the way back from training. I saw our handle posted that I have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. I was a bit surprised.

“Obviously, I am in a room with Calvin Bassey and when I told him, he was just jumping up and down. He was very happy and was like you don’t really understand. That was when I took it in.”

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Ballon d’Or: You Deserve It – Aguero Snubs Vinicius, Bellingham As He Names His Winner

Sergio Aguero, the Manchester City legend, has revealed who gets his vote to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Sergio has picked Rodri, ahead of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.

A 30-man shortlist was announced this week ahead of the award ceremony next month.

But Aguero has now publicly given his backing to former City team-mate Rodri to claim the coveted accolade.

In response to City tweeting about Rodri’s Ballon d’Or nomination, Aguero tweeted: “A perfect year, you deserve it. Come on Rodri.”

Rodri was part of the City squad that romped to to a record fourth straight Premier League title in May.

He also played a crucial role in guiding Spain to Euro 2024 glory.

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Super Eagles Forward Ademola Lookman Nominated For Ballon d’Or 2024 Award (Full List)

Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

Lookman made the award nomination list after his heroics in the Europa League final where he scored a hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen.

Other nominees in the men’s player of the year nomination list includes Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, Man City’s midfielder Rodri and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.

Ademola Lookman only African in full list of Ballon d’Or contenders

Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid

Lautaro Martinez – Inter

Ademola Lookman – Atalanta

Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen

Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid

William Saliba – Arsenal

Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter

Rodri – Man City

Declan Rice- Arsenal

Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Cole Palmer – Chelsea

Vitinha – PSG

Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard – Arsenal

Dani Olmo – Barcelona

Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen

Mats Hummels – Roma

Erling Haaland – Man City

Nicolas Williams – Athletic Bilbao

Granit Xhaka – Bayer Leverkusen

Artem Dovbik – Roma

Toni Kroos – Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

Phil Foden – Man City

Ruben Dias – Man City

Federico Valverde – Real Madrid

Emiliano Martinez – Aston VIlla

Date of ceremony, awards up for grabs

The main award is set to hold on 28 October at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

The following awards will be up for grabs:

The Ballon d’Or – awarded to the best male player

The Ballon d’Or Feminin – awarded to the best female player

The Yashin Trophy – awarded to the best male goalkeeper

The Kopa Trophy – awarded to the best male player under the age of 21

The Gerd Muller Trophy – awarded to the best male striker

The Socrates Award – awarded to one player for their humanitarian work

Men’s club of the year award

Women’s club of the year award

Men’s coach of the year award

Women’s coach of the year award

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Ballon d’Or 2024 Nominees Set To Be Unveiled

The nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or are set to be announced today.

It is almost certain that the current holder and eight-time winner, Lionel Messi, will not even make the podium this time around.

This means there will be a first-time winner at the ceremony next month.

Organisers will today reveal every name on their long shortlist.

Real Madrid and Spain players are expected to be prominent after their respective successes.

Vinicius Jr – who has made clear his desire to take the top prize – Rodri and Jude Bellingham among the favourites for the trophy.

Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland will also be in contention.

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Neymar Names Player to Win 2024 Ballon d’Or

Al-Hilal superstar, Neymar has revealed who should win this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
According to him, he will be rooting for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. to win the award.

Vinicius is one of the strong contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
The Brazilian scored in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday as he helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side record a 2-0 victory at Wembley.
The 23-year-old has now won a second Champions League triumph with Madrid.
Speaking about the player that should win the Ballon d’Or, Neymar said (via @MadridXtra):
“I will be rooting for Vinicius to win the Ballon d’Or.”
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2023 Ballon d’Or: Haaland In Prime Position To Win After Man City’s Treble

The chances of Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland clinching this year’s Ballon d’Or award, are high, after his team won the Treble this season.

Pep Guardiola’s men defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul on Saturday night to lift the Champions League final trophy.

Last weekend, City saw off Manchester Untied 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup.

They had overhauled Arsenal to clinch their third successive Premier League title, powered by Haaland’s 36 goals in 38 matches.

Haaland has now become the first outright Premier League Golden Boot winner to also win the Champions League final since Cristiano Ronaldo did it with Manchester United in 2007-08.

The Norway striker scored a total of 52 goals in his debut season in England. This makes him the top scorer across Europe’s top leagues.

Haaland will, however, have to contend with departing Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe for the Ballon d’Or prize.