The Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual accolade, has always been shaped by a mixture of personal brilliance and team success. Historically, the award often favours players who have guided their clubs or national sides to major trophies, turning their personal achievements into a narrative of leadership and triumph. Last season, Ousmane Dembélé captured the prize after his pivotal role in Paris Saint‑Germain's historic Champions League victory, a clear illustration of how club glory can tip the scales in a player's favour.
This year, however, the dynamics shifted dramatically. The FIFA World Cup, with its unrivalled global reach and emotional intensity, exerted a far greater influence on the voting than any domestic competition could. The tournament provided a stage where performances were magnified, and the opinions of journalists, coaches and national team captains were swayed by moments that would be replayed for years. The question, then, is which players capitalised on this platform and which saw their candidacy weakened as the summer unfolded.
Harry Kane entered the summer as a strong contender. After a blistering season with Bayern Munich—where he netted 61 goals in 51 matches and helped the club secure a domestic double—Kane seemed poised to translate his club dominance into international acclaim. England fans were buoyant, dreaming of a World Cup run that would cement Kane’s status as the world’s premier striker. Yet the tournament did not unfold as hoped.
England's campaign fizzled out earlier than expected, and Kane’s individual impact waned in the final two games. While he still managed six goals, his performances were eclipsed by the emergent talent of Jude Bellingham, whose dynamic displays stole the headlines. The early exit meant Kane missed the chance to showcase his abilities on the sport’s biggest stage, a factor that inevitably dented his Ballon d'Or prospects despite his record‑breaking club year. In contrast, Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal offered a different kind of narrative.
At just 19, Yamal became the first player under 20 to feature in both a European Championship final and a World Cup final, a feat he achieved within a single summer. Though his statistical contribution—one goal—was modest, his influence was palpable. He earned a decisive penalty against France in the semi‑final, a moment that altered the course of the tournament.
Moreover, his dribbling success rate surpassed even that of Lionel Messi, highlighting a technical mastery that belied his age. Coupled with 28 goal involvements in Barcelona’s LaLiga triumph, Yamal’s résumé now reads like a blueprint for future Ballon d'Or contention, even if the award may still be a few years away.
Lionel Messi, the all‑time leader in Ballon d’Or wins with seven trophies, once again proved why he remains a perennial favourite. At 39, Messi delivered a World Cup performance that felt as vibrant as his early‑twenties. He opened the tournament with a hat‑trick against Algeria, then scored in each of the next four matches, guiding Argentina to the final and ultimately to victory.
Although Kylian Mbappé edged him out for the Golden Boot—thanks to two goals in the dead‑rubber third‑place match—Messi’s overall influence, creativity and clutch moments kept him firmly in the conversation for an unprecedented eighth Ballon d’Or. Historically, only four of the last nineteen winners have not secured a major international or club title in the same year, and three of those were Messi himself, underscoring how his continued excellence defies conventional expectations. Kylian Mbappé, meanwhile, etched his name into World Cup lore by becoming the first player to claim the Golden Boot twice.
He also ascended to become the tournament’s all‑time leading scorer, a milestone that cements his legacy. Yet Mbappé himself has expressed a bittersweet sentiment: he would have preferred to be the top scorer while also playing in the final, a reflection of the deep connection between individual accolades and team triumphs. France’s campaign ended in the semi‑final, and his club, Real Madrid, endured a trophy‑less season, leaving his Ballon d’Or hopes in limbo. Nonetheless, his elite scoring record ensures he will remain a fixture in future debates.
Perhaps the most surprising emergence this summer is Rodri, a player who entered the season largely under the radar. After missing most of the previous campaign due to an ACL injury, he returned to prominence with Spain, delivering a series of dominant midfield performances that earned him the tournament’s Golden Ball. Over eight matches, Rodri completed 122 line‑breaking passes, a statistic that rivals the best of Xabi Alonso’s 2010 displays. His composure, vision and ability to control the tempo of games have drawn comparisons to Spanish legends such as Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.
While his club season with Manchester City was uneven, his international display provided a compelling case for Ballon d’Or consideration, placing him among the exclusive group of players who have won the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and the award itself. The upcoming 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled for 26 October in London, will ultimately decide which of these narratives prevails. The shortlist reflects a blend of seasoned veterans, emerging talents and those whose fortunes were defined by the World Cup’s unique pressure.
While the award traditionally favours players who combine individual brilliance with silverware, the 2024 edition may signal a shift toward recognising those who excel on football’s grandest stage, even if their club achievements are less glittering. In summary, the World Cup’s impact on this year’s Ballon d’Or race cannot be overstated. It amplified the successes of players like Messi and Yamal, highlighted the shortcomings of otherwise dominant club performers such as Kane, and introduced fresh contenders like Rodri into the conversation.
As the football world awaits the October ceremony, the debate continues: will the award honour the enduring greatness of a legend, the meteoric rise of a teenager, or the resilient comeback of a midfield stalwart? Whatever the outcome, the 2024 Ballon d’Or will undoubtedly reflect the profound influence of the World Cup on the sport’s most coveted individual honour.