Ballon D’Or 2024 Betting Odds and Prediction: Can Rodri Win?

Realistically speaking, Rodri should be this year’s Ballon d’Or winner, even though the Golden Ball odds suggest he is the second favorite. The Spaniard failed to win the Champions League but was absolutely irreplaceable for Man City all season long and led Spain to EURO glory.

No matter who he’s up against, Rodri is an absolute beast. There’s nothing he can’t do. He’s the most resilient, most reliable presence in the midfield.

Rodri’s immense in stopping the opposition, cutting down on pressing, and passing the ball into the final third. He’s good in the air, he’s good in block. He’s the epitome of the perfect central defender.

Furthermore, he scored multiple vital goals for Man City’s Premier League title this season and controlled the tempo as Spain convincingly won EURO 2024, becoming Player of the Tournament.

Rodri just ticks all the boxes, on both club and international level. The guy is a beast and deserves the Golden Ball.

Vinicius Jr. has had his best season yet. He won La Liga (15 goals and 6 assists) and the Champions League (6 goals and 5 assists) with Real Madrid. He also scored 2 twice for Brazil in Copa America.

Stop that Vinicius Jr. pic.twitter.com/JmKwEkbcjh

— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) September 23, 2022

Overall, not half bad for the 24-year-old Brazilian winger. However, despite such individual wonders, he failed to lead Brazil to greater glory in Copa America.

The team was eliminated in the quarterfinals, so this is a stain on Vini Jr.’s case for the Golden Ball.

If England had won the EURO, Jude Bellingham would be the shoo in for the Golden Ball reward. However, despite his best efforts, Jude Bellingham on the losing side on Sunday and frankly, his individual performance in the tournament was far from perfect.

He scored an insane bicycle kick to help England beat Slovakia but failed to produce moments of magic consistently.

🚨 OFFICIAL: Jude Bellingham's goal vs Slovakia is voted as the SECOND best goal of EURO 2024 by UEFA. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/xsoLgpYS6X

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 16, 2024

On the other hand, Bellingham was one of Real Madrid’s most influential players in a campaign that ended with a La Liga and the Champions League. His contributions in both competitions were vital for his club’s success.

Combining these club achievements with the EURO 2024 final run would normally be enough. However, England failed to convince, Rodri was on the winning end, and Vini Jr. was also pivotal for Real Madrid.

The combination of these factors should prevent Bellingham from winning the Golden Ball this year.

Dani Carvajal has had a magnificent season. La Liga, Champions League, and the EURO. He’s won it all this year, which makes him one of the perfect candidates to win the award this season.

However, team-based titles can only take you so far. Sure, Carvajal has won it all and he’s had a lot of minutes while doing so. However, we can’t really say he’s been the main man in any of those titles.

Let’s face it – Lamine Yamal is the future of soccer. The boy has just turned 17 and is already the best player in Barcelona’s first eleven. There, I’ve said it. Deal with it. He’s just so good! He can push the ball up front, create space, pass it, or turn a few heads with his dribbling skills and glide it pass the goalie.

We saw Yamal’s qualities on full display at the EUROs, where he won the Best Young Player of the Tournament award.

Goal of the semi-finals ✅

Lamine Yamal's incredible strike wins it! 😮‍💨👏#EUROGOTT | @AlipayPlus pic.twitter.com/BMzFOgLEkG

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

He’s fast, vicious, clinical, and most importantly – unpredictable. One thing is certain – Lamine Yamal is going to win a fair share of Ballon d’Ors, if he can stay fit.

However, he won’t win the award this year. I expect something similar to the EUROs: Rodri taking the Golden Ball, while Yamal getting recognition as the best young player by winning the Golden Boy prize.

Leo Messi did win the 2024 Copa America, but his performances weren’t the best. He was shadowed by none other than Lautaro Martinez who scored five goals in the competition.

On top of that, he plays club soccer in the US nowadays, so that almost disqualifies him from the Golden Ball race.

I just can’t see him winning the Ballon d’Or, despite being one of the greatest of all time. I’ll even dare to say the chances of Messi winning the Golden Ball are the same as Cristiano Ronaldo’s. There, now both camps of fans will share equal hate for me.