As the world’s best in football prepare to gather in Paris for the 2023/24 Ballon d’Or ceremony, excitement builds around Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati as the favorites for this year’s honors.
In the men’s category, this is the first Ballon d’Or shortlist since 2003 without Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, who, between them, took home 13 awards over the years.
Vinicius Junior stands out as a leading contender after a phenomenal season with Real Madrid, where he played a key role in securing the La Liga title and the club’s record-breaking 15th Champions League trophy. With six goals in the Champions League, including a vital brace in the semi-final, Vinicius made his mark on Real Madrid’s European journey.
Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has shown strong support, predicting Vinicius will claim the title. Following a recent Champions League hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund, Ancelotti confidently stated, “Vinicius is going to win the Ballon d’Or.”
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Beyond his stellar performance, Vinicius has also been a prominent figure in the fight against racism, bravely addressing multiple incidents of abuse he faced in Spain. His response, especially during an incident with Valencia supporters in May 2023, resonated globally and further solidified his standing beyond the pitch.
Among Vinicius’ competition are some big names: his teammate Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rodri, ex Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane. Also in the mix is Real Madrid’s defender Dani Carvajal, making this a highly competitive year.
On the women’s side, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati is expected to secure her second consecutive Ballon d’Or.
The 26-year-old was instrumental in leading Barcelona to an extraordinary season, achieving a historic quadruple by winning the domestic league, cup, Spanish Supercopa, and Champions League. Bonmati’s teammates, Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, are also strong candidates but are not expected to surpass Bonmati’s achievements this year.
The winners, selected by an international jury of football journalists, will be revealed at the grand ceremony in Paris on Monday, making it an exciting night for football fans around the globe.
