Who will succeed Lionel Messi on the Ballon d’Or list? If he is already positioning himself as a serious candidate for 2024, after his second place this year, Erling Haaland is likely to be disappointed again…
The 2023 Ballon d’Or has barely been awarded, bookmakers are already wondering who will be Lionel Messi’s successor next year. If it seems certain that a change of era is beginning since the Argentine striker, now at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, will undoubtedly not be able to seek a ninth coronation, it is difficult to identify a single big favorite for 2024.
In the first third of the season, there are already six or seven of them positioning themselves as serious candidates. Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, second and third respectively this year, are still as inspired at the start of the year, but they will have to be wary of competitors like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Jr. or Antoine Griezmann.
Haaland still at a disadvantage
The race for the 2024 Ballon d’Or therefore promises to be more open than ever, even if one of them leaves with a very big disadvantage. The Manchester City striker may shine with his club, as he did last season by achieving a fabulous hat-trick (Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League), he will inevitably be penalized by his absence on the international scene.
Between the African Cup of Nations this winter, the Euro and the Copa America six months later, next year will indeed be rich for the selections. But not for Erling Haaland, already eliminated from the European Championship qualifiers with Norway. If one of its main rivals shines with its national team, Cityzen will still have a hard time winning the Grail.
The regulations drawn up by France Football is nevertheless clear. Article 4 states that “the Ballon d’Or is awarded based on three main criteria: 1. Individual performances and decisive and impressive character; 2. Collective performances and the prize list; 3. Class and fair play ». In other words, the Sky Blues cyborg is supposed to have every chance.
Mbappé, Bellingham and Kane favorites?
But the recent election of Lionel Messi proves that the prize list still counts for a lot in the minds of the jury members. Also a victory for France or England at Euro 2024 risks weighing more heavily than a Champions League title. It would then be surprising, in such a scenario, not to see Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane crowned.
“Erling has his whole career ahead of him, he must continue to win, to tell himself that maybe he will win next season and to win titles with the team”, Pep Guardiola recently said about his player. Who nevertheless seems condemned, whatever he wins with Manchester City, to having to wait for odd years to really be able to claim the Ballon d’Or…
