The Ballon d'Or, football’s most prestigious individual accolade, has always been influenced by a mixture of personal brilliance and team success. Historically, the award has often gone to players who have guided their clubs or national sides to major trophies.
Ousmane Dembélé, for example, captured the prize last season after he helped Paris Saint‑Germain clinch their inaugural Champions League title. This year, however, the dynamics have shifted dramatically because the FIFA World Cup carries a weight that eclipses any club competition. The global tournament not only commands worldwide attention but also provides a definitive platform for players to showcase their abilities on the biggest stage, thereby reshaping the narrative around the Ballon d'Or race. When we examine the performances that mattered most, a few key stories emerge.
England’s striker Harry Kane entered the summer as a strong contender after an astonishing club campaign with Bayern Munich, where he netted 61 goals in 51 matches and helped the German giants secure a domestic double. Kane’s goal‑scoring exploits had English fans dreaming of a possible World Cup triumph, and his reputation seemed to be soaring. Yet England’s journey in Qatar was cut short earlier than many had anticipated. The team’s exit against Argentina, a side that proved far tougher than pre‑tournament analyses suggested, also meant Kane’s influence waned in the tournament’s decisive moments.
While he still managed six goals, his performances in the final two matches were outshone by a younger teammate, Jude Bellingham, whose dynamic displays captured the imagination of pundits worldwide. Kane’s club form remains extraordinary – he is still in contention for the second‑highest seasonal goal tally since 2000 – but the lack of a World Cup final appearance leaves a noticeable gap in his Ballon d’Or résumé. Spain’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal provides another fascinating case. At just 19, Yamal became the first player to feature in both a European Championship final and a World Cup final before turning 20, and he helped Spain win both tournaments.
Although his statistical output at the World Cup was modest – a single goal – his impact was far more nuanced. He won a crucial penalty against France in the semi‑final and demonstrated an uncanny ability to manipulate the ball under pressure, contributing to Spain’s record of twelve consecutive major‑tournament victories. Over the summer he also recorded 28 goal involvements as Barcelona secured LaLiga, reinforcing his status as a rising star whose time to dominate the Ballon d’Or conversation is fast approaching. Lionel Messi’s story adds a layer of historic significance.
The Argentine legend, who already holds a record seven Ballon d’Or titles, is once again in the conversation for an unprecedented eighth award. Despite missing out on the Golden Boot to Kylian Mbappé – a result that feels almost ironic given that two of Mbappé’s goals came in a dead‑rubber third‑place match – Messi performed at a level reminiscent of his early‑twenties. He celebrated his 39th birthday by delivering a hat‑trick against Algeria, scoring in the next four games, and playing a pivotal role in Argentina’s semi‑final victory over England. Only four of the last nineteen Ballon d’Or winners did not also claim a major international or club title in the same year, and three of those were Messi himself, underscoring how his legacy continues to blur the lines between individual brilliance and collective glory.
Kylian Mbappé, meanwhile, made history by becoming the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice, cementing his place as the tournament’s all‑time leading scorer. Yet, as Mbappé himself admitted, personal accolades feel hollow without a winner’s medal: "I would have preferred not to be the top scorer and to have played in the final." France’s failure to capture the trophy, combined with Real Madrid’s trophy‑less season, means that Mbappé’s chances of securing the Ballon d’Or this year are uncertain, despite his elite scoring record. Perhaps the most surprising name to emerge this summer is Rodri. The Spanish midfielder’s club season with Manchester City was interrupted by an ACL injury that limited his minutes, but his performances for Spain in the World Cup were nothing short of spectacular.
Over eight matches, he delivered 122 line‑breaking passes – the highest total since Xabi Alonso’s 2010 campaign – and earned the tournament’s Golden Ball. Rodri joins an elite quartet of players who have won the World Cup, the European Championship, the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, drawing immediate comparisons with Spanish greats such as Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. His composure, vision, and ability to dictate play have made him a strong candidate for the 2024 award.
The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for 26 October in London, where the world will finally decide which of these narratives will be crowned the ultimate winner. While the shortlist includes familiar faces like Messi, Mbappé and Kane, newcomers such as Rodri and Yamal could reshape the traditional hierarchy. The tournament has demonstrated that World Cup performances carry a decisive influence over the award, often outweighing club achievements alone.
As the footballing calendar moves forward, fans and analysts alike will continue to debate the balance between consistent season‑long excellence and the flash of brilliance that only a World Cup can provide. The outcome will not only reflect who was the best player of the year but also highlight how the sport’s most coveted individual honor is increasingly intertwined with success on the global stage.