Ballon d’Or: statistics from the 68th edition reveal a highly contested ranking and surprising choices from the jurors.
The suspense was high for the 2024 edition of the Ballon d’Or, marked by a narrow gap of only 41 points between the winner, Rodri, and his main rival, Vinicius Jr. The Manchester City player, author of an exceptional season punctuated by numerous titles with his club, convinced the majority of the 99 jurors from the top 100 FIFA countries. Syria, the only absent country, did not participate in the vote for the men’s category, while Costa Rica abstained for the women’s category.
This limited gap, although not unprecedented, is significant in the context of the new scale, which now awards 15 points to the player cited in first position, thus increasing the competitiveness of the race. The final ranking places Rodri in the lead, followed by Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal. The presence of these three players Real Madrid in the top positions underlines the domination of the Madrid club this season.
Among the notable statistics of this 68th edition, seven jurors managed to predict the exact order of the first four (Rodri, Vinicius Jr., Bellingham, Carvajal). The countries concerned are England, Australia, the United States, Northern Ireland, Iceland, Norway, and Slovakia, revealing a certain consensus around the favorites. However, no juror managed to guess the entire top 10, or even the top 5.
Some unexpected choices also slipped into the votes: five jurors omitted Rodri from their top 10, and three others excluded Vinicius Jr. The ranking also includes international stars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, but also surprises like the nomination of the Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman, cited once in first place.
The full ranking highlights the diversity of talents and playing styles, with young prospects like FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who is ranked 8th, and Cole Palmer, recently transferred from Manchester City to Chelsea, in 25th position. Beyond Rodri’s consecration, the 2024 Ballon d’Or thus reflects current trends and the surprises of this season, testifying to the wealth of talent in world football.
France Football will publish details of the votes, country by country, in its edition this Saturday, November 9, available on newsstands as well as on the L’Équipe website and application. An opportunity for football fans to analyze this exciting ranking in more depth.
The top 10 of the 2024 Ballon d’Or
1. Rodri (Spain, Manchester City), 1,170 points.
2. Vinicius Jr. (Brazil, Real Madrid), 1,129 points.
3. Jude Bellingham (Angleterre, Real Madrid), 917 points.
4. Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid), 550 points.
5. Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City), 432 points.
6. Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris-SG), 420 points.
7. Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter Milan), 402 points.
8. Lamine Yamal (Spain, FC Barcelona), 383 points.
9. Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid), 291 points.
10. Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich), 201 points.
Photo credit: France Football
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Time.news Interview: The Dynamics of the Ballon d’Or Ranking with Football Analyst Dr. Elena Carter
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Carter! Thank you for joining us today to dissect the latest Ballon d’Or results. This year’s winner, Rodri, clinched the title by a razor-thin margin over Vinicius Jr. What do you make of this close contest?
Dr. Elena Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s fascinating, isn’t it? A 41-point gap between Rodri and Vinicius Jr. is minimal, especially in the context of a prestigious award like the Ballon d’Or. This indicates the competitiveness of the season and the evolving criteria that jurors are using to evaluate players.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of criteria, the new scale awards more points for higher placements. How do you think this change impacted the rankings?
Dr. Elena Carter: Great question! The updated scoring system, where first-place votes now receive 15 points, definitely ramps up the importance of being recognized at the top. It tends to amplify the competition and makes it critical for players to gain that top recognition from as many jurors as possible. What we’re seeing is not just the skill of the players but also a reflection of strategic voting patterns.
Time.news Editor: The top four players were all from two clubs: Manchester City and Real Madrid. What does that say about the current landscape of football?
Dr. Elena Carter: It highlights the dominance of these clubs in recent years. Manchester City had a stellar season, capturing numerous titles, which undoubtedly played a huge role in Rodri’s selection. Meanwhile, Real Madrid seems to be consistently breeding world-class talent. This rivalry and influence in the rankings symbolize a shift in how club performances directly impact individual accolades.
Time.news Editor: There were some surprises in the votes as well, including some jurors omitting Rodri and Vinicius Jr. from their top tens. What do you think accounts for these unexpected choices?
Dr. Elena Carter: This reflects the subjective nature of the voting process. Football, while statistic-heavy, is also about personal opinion and individual experiences. Some jurors might prioritize different achievements or moments over others. It’s also a reminder that the Ballon d’Or isn’t just about statistical superiority—it’s about the narrative around a player’s season.
Time.news Editor: What do you make of the inclusion of emerging talents like Lamine Yamal and Cole Palmer in the rankings?
Dr. Elena Carter: Their presence emphasizes the wealth of young talent in football today. Lamine Yamal, for instance, is not just a young player but one who has started to make significant contributions to FC Barcelona’s first team. The spotlight on these players is a positive trend, showcasing that the future of football looks bright and that these young stars are already making impacts worth noting in prestigious rankings like the Ballon d’Or.
Time.news Editor: Before we wrap up, any predictions on how the landscape might shift for future awards moving forward?
Dr. Elena Carter: I expect the trend of emphasizing club performance will continue, affecting how players are perceived at an international level. With the rise of talented young stars and the increasing competitiveness of leagues worldwide, we could see more surprises in the coming years. The margins will remain narrow as long as these players maintain such high standards.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much, Dr. Carter. Your insights really shed light on this year’s Ballon d’Or and the ever-evolving world of football!
Dr. Elena Carter: It was my pleasure! Thank you for having me.
