2024 Ballon d'Or: Who will reign in a new era without Messi and Ronaldo?

• This is the first time in over two decades that neither Ronaldo nor Messi are nominated for the men’s award
• Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Rodri are the top contenders for the Ballon d'Or
• Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati and Lyon’s Kadidiatou Diani lead the race in the women’s category

As the 2024 Ballon d'Or approaches, excitement builds for one of the most anticipated nights in football. 

The prestigious awards ceremony, which will be held in Paris on October 28, promises to crown the year’s finest talents, and for the first time in two decades, the footballing world must look beyond the iconic duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with neither legend in the running for the men's prize, the stage is set for a new rivalry to rise.

This year’s men's award shortlist includes breakout stars like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and the ever-reliable Rodri, while in the women's category, Aitana Bonmati and Salma Paralluelo are clear frontrunners. It was a season that saw records shattered, unexpected triumphs, and players stepping up to deliver when it mattered most.

Among the young stars ready to claim the throne, Vinicius Junior had a superb year, leading Real Madrid to triumphs in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Spanish Supercup. The Brazilian forward notched 24 goals across competitions, including his important goal in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

Jude Bellingham's first year at Real Madrid was remarkable, he contributed to their Champions League, La Liga, and Supercup victories and helped England reach the Euro 2024 final, scoring a dramatic equaliser in the last-16 clash against Slovakia. His consistency across multiple competitions makes him a strong contender for football’s top individual prize.

Rodri also made his case for the award with an exceptional campaign. He played an instrumental role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season, adding a UEFA Champions League and Premier League title to his resume before guiding Spain to victory at Euro 2024, where he was named the tournament’s best player.

On the women’s side, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati is the favourite to retain her title. An important player for the Catalan side, Bonmati helped secure the Women’s Champions League, La Liga, and Spanish Supercup, along with a standout Nations League triumph. 

Her teammate Caroline Graham Hansen is also a strong contender, following her exceptional performances for the Catalan club and Lyon’s Kadidiatou Diani who led her team to a French league title and finished as the top scorer in last season's Women's Champions League are both also among those in the race for the Ballon d'Or Féminin.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony, set to take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, will also see awards for the Kopa Trophy (best young player) and the Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), ensuring a night full of recognition for football’s brightest stars.

The awards ceremony will be streamed live on L'Equipe's YouTube channel.

Nigerian Ballon d’Or nominee scores first Champions League goal, makes assist

Previously, TheRadar reported that Atalanta left no doubt about their intentions in the UEFA Champions League as they cruised to a commanding 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. 

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was the clear star for Atalanta, scoring a goal and an assist. His sharp vision set up Berat Djimsiti’s opener, which was expertly finished from close range. Just before halftime, Lookman added a well-taken goal to double Atalanta's lead.