Ballon d’Or Power Rankings: This could be the first Premier League champion since Cristiano Ronaldo, following Lionel Messi’s dominance.

Now that Lionel Messi’s 2023 Ballon d’Or victory has been officially recorded in history, it is time to focus on the more pressing matter of determining who will succeed him at the summit of the game.

The Argentine, who claimed his eighth Copa America title in Paris last October, has continued to claim the trophy during the 2023/24 season. However, the pathway to this year’s trophy is now fully open as a result of his transition to MLS, which has removed him from elite-level football.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid were the subjects of much discussion, as they had previously shared 13 of the last 15 Golden Balls with their rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nevertheless, the 2023/24 season did not unfold as anticipated, and the field is as wide open as it has ever been. Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen have all completed exceptional campaigns that have enticed numerous players to enter the fray.

In addition, the Euro 2024 and Copa America tournaments this summer provided numerous players with their final opportunity to present their case, and the performances of the front-runners undoubtedly achieved a balance.

Before the conclusion of play on July 30, talkSPORT.com will provide you with our power rankings, as the Ballon d’Or is now a seasonal award rather than an annual contest.

10. Florian Wirtz

21 goals and 21 assists during the 2023/24 season.
Bundesliga and DFB Pokal trophies

In the Bayer Leverkusen team that went undefeated throughout the domestic season, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder was a sensation.
They were one game away from an unprecedented undefeated treble, but 52 games without a loss is an impressive accomplishment.

Wirtz was a critical component of that squad, as evidenced by his ranking on this list.

He also played for Germany in the 2024 Euros, but they were defeated in the quarterfinals by the eventual victors, Spain.

Number ten: Phil Foden

2023/24 season: 12 assists, 28 goals
Awards: UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, Premier League

The Foden for Manchester City and the Foden for England at Euro 2024 were akin to two distinct individuals.

He was unstoppable for City last season and was unquestionably the greatest player in the Premier League. As a result, he was awarded the Football Writers’ Association and Premier League Player of the Year.

Guardiola has transformed him into an unequivocal superstar at the club level, and he has now secured his sixth league title.

Nevertheless, the situation is distinct in the case of England. Similar to his colleagues, he encountered difficulties in performing at his optimal level during Euro 2024.
He would have been a top contender for the Ballon d’Or if his performance in the Premier League had been indicative of his form, as there were no goals and assists at the European Championships.

8. Harry Kane

2023/24 season: 52 goals, 14 assists
Trophies: None

Kane’s individual season was extraordinary following his summer transfer to Bayern Munich.

He made an immediate impact in the Bundesliga, scoring 44 goals in all competitions for Bayern, which is his most impressive individual total for a single season.

Manager Gareth Southgate frequently removed him from the pitch during Euro 2024, as he appeared to be underfit. Nevertheless, he was able to secure a share of the Golden Boot by scoring three goals.

However, the 30-year-old has yet to secure a trophy, which will ensure that he will never be able to compete for the Ballon d’Or.

England was defeated in the Euro 2024 final, and Bayern finished third in the Bundesliga.

7: Nico Williams

2023/24 season: 11 goals, 25 assists
Euro 2024 and Copa del Rey: Trophies

Williams was a standout player in both LaLiga and Euro 2024; therefore, it is not surprising that he may relocate to another team this summer. Arsenal lurks in the background, while Barcelona appears to be the frontrunners for the scintillating forward.

Athletic Bilbao’s 22-year-old was already being recognised as one of the most promising young attacking talents in the world of football, as he played a crucial role in the team’s first Copa del Rey victory in 40 years and narrowly missed a Champions League return.

However, he was able to elevate his performance to an entirely new level during the Euros, as he utterly horrified Italy, Germany, and France before scoring against England in the final and being awarded the Man of the Match award. Williams is the only competitor among the runners and riders for the Ballon d’Or in terms of who has defied the odds the most this season.

6: Kylian Mbappe

2023/24 season: 45 goals, 8 assists
Trophy: Coupe de France, Ligue 1, and Trophee des Champions

Mbappe’s statistics were, as usual, completely absurd, and they were rendered even more so when one considers the circumstances that were unfolding in the background.

Mbappe was excluded from preseason and there were rumours that president Nasser Al-Khelaifi would hold him there indefinitely until he changed his mind, as a result of his refusal to sign an extension with Paris Saint-Germain to commence the season, which would have enabled him to join Real Madrid for free a year later.

Mbappe ultimately returned; however, Luis Enrique continued to generate headlines by consistently benching him in anticipation of his future prospects. Although PSG’s performances declined, their prospects for an unprecedented treble seemed to be on the rise until May.

However, during the climax, their talisman was absent, and the same was true for France at Euro 2024.

5. Lautaro Martinez

2023/24 season: 32 goals, 3 assists
Awards: Supercoppa Italiana, Copa America, and Serie A

As seasons go, 2023/24 was an unusual one for Lautaro Martinez. After being criticised for his failings in the Champions League final at the conclusion of the previous campaign, the striker emerged as the clear MVP of Serie A. His 24 goals were eight more than any other player, and Inter Milan secured their first Scudetto in three years.

Despite being unquestionably Argentina’s most talented player prior to the Copa America, he was ultimately relegated to the bench. Nevertheless, he was once again the most critical performer for his team.

In his inaugural match, he scored twice against Peru, and in the final, he was once again the standout as a substitute, scoring the sole goal against Colombia. He had previously scored against Canada and Chile while playing off the bench.

4: Jude Bellingham

2023/24 season: 12 assists, 25 goals
Trophies: Champions League, Supercopa de España, and LaLiga

Bellingham was undoubtedly the most unexpected player in Europe this season, if not the greatest. He arrived from Borussia Dortmund and dominated Spanish football in a manner that defied expectations.

The midfielder, who had never been reliant on goals in his career, rapidly advanced up the pitch and replaced Karim Benzema, breaking records and accumulating points that propelled Carlo Ancelotti to his most dominant league victory to date.

Bellingham was the undisputed recipient of LaLiga’s Player of the Season award, thanks to his match-winning performances in both Clasicos against Barcelona. Subsequently, he secured the Super Cup and Champions League, which propelled him to the top of the Ballon d’Or odds.

Regrettably, England and he were unable to achieve their desired outcome. However, it was not for a lack of effort; the Three Lions would not have been in the final if it were not for his goals against Serbia and Slovakia.

3: Dani Carvajal

2023/24 season: seven goals, four assists
Awards: Champions League, LaLiga, Supercopa de España, and Euro 2024

In June, Real Madrid’s stalwart Carvajal achieved an immortal status by winning his sixth Champions League, which matched the club’s greatest achievement, Paco Gento. Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Nacho Fernandez also achieved the same number.

Carvajal, who is regarded as the ultimate victor, substantiated his credentials by defeating Modric and Kroos en route to Euro 2024 victory. This achievement earned him four trophies for the season, a total that only his teammate Nacho can match.

Nevertheless, there is a rationale for Carvajal’s inclusion in the competition, as opposed to his comrade. During a season of significant moments, the right-back demonstrated his status as one of the greatest in the world, including the critical opening goal in the Champions League final when Borussia Dortmund was in the lead.

2: Vinicius Jr.

2023/24 season: 26 goals, 9 assists
Trophies: Champions League, Supercopa de España, and LaLiga

Bellingham was Madrid’s early-season star; however, Vinicius emerged as the team’s leader in the latter phases, and his Champions League heroics distinguished him from his peers.

In 2024, the year began with a hat-trick in the Supercopa final against Barcelona, and it continued with unplayable Man of the Match European exploits against Manchester City and Bayern Munich. Ultimately, the year culminated in a goal in the final against Dortmund.

Vinicius, who was leading the race with the support of Brazil, encountered a significant obstacle in the United States when his team was eliminated from the Copa America quarterfinals by Uruguay. Vinicius was suspended for the match, and his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or were likely to diminish.

1: Rodri

10 goals and 11 assists during the 2023/24 season.
Trophies: Premier League and Euro 2024

Rodri has advanced this year, despite receiving fewer accolades, as a result of his crucial involvement in Manchester City’s treble, which earned him fifth place in the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

Despite playing in an unglamorous position, his winner in the Champions League final against Inter Milan last season served as a reminder to the world that he is not only consistently brilliant, but also more decisive than the majority of the world’s greatest.

Rodri’s remarkable streak of not losing a match in a year was terminated by Manchester United in the FA Cup final. However, he ensured that he made amends in the Euro 2024 final and was duly named Player of the Tournament, an award that frequently precedes Ballon d’Or honours.

And if he is successful when the award is announced in October, it would be the first time a Premier League player has won since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in 2008, when he was the face of United.