Ballon d’Or Final Power Rankings: Rodri Makes Strong Case

Dani Carvajal and Lautaro Martinez Also Trending

July 18, 2024 847 4 minutes readSoccer News

Rodri Making Strong Ballon d’Or Case — Photo taken from goal.com

Euros and Copa America Shift Race

Euros and Copa America Shift Race

With the 2023-24 season officially over, following Copa America and the European Championships, it’s time for our Ballon d’Or final power rankings. Vinicius Jr. topped our last edition but there’s a new number one now.

We review the top 10 candidates for soccer’s most prestigious award as the official nominees will be announced on September 4th. Lionel Messi won his record eighth Ballon d’Or last year but it is almost certain a first-time winner will be crowned on October 28th.

1. Rodri (Manchester City & Spain)

Previous Ranking: 7

Rodri was overlooked for the Ballon d’Or last year and it looked like things were headed that way again. However, his performance for Spain in their Euro 2024 win has completely changed that.

The midfielder, who won Euro 2024’s Player of the Tournament Award, was also pivotal in Manchester City’s fourth straight Premier League title.

The best soccer bets today previously listed Rodri at +3000 but he’s at +160 now. Since the start of 2023, Rodri has lifted more trophies (8) than matches he’s lost (4). A truly incredible stat for a man who doesn’t always show up on the scoresheet.

In a wide-open Ballon d’Or race, Rodri could be the first non-Real Madrid or Barcelona player to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo won as a Manchester United player in 2008.

2. Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid & Brazil)

Previous Ranking: 1

Vinicius Jr. scored in the Champions League Final as Real Madrid won their record-extending 15th title and won La Liga to boot. The Brazilian winger was also voted the UCL’s Player of the Season. He scored 24 goals in 39 games for Real, in all competitions, and has cemented his world-class status.

The only thing stopping him from winning the Ballon d’Or could be a disappointing Copa America campaign with Brazil. He’s still the betting favorite to win, at +120 odds.

3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid & England)

Previous Ranking: 2

Jude Bellingham (+500) was La Liga’s Player of the Season and came up in clutch moments and time again. He had, arguably, the best debut season in Real Madrid’s history and he was one match away from winning the Euros with England.

Bellingham, only 21, has all of the tools to be one of the best players in the world for the next decade. He’s gone from second to third in our Ballon d’Or final power rankings as he wasn’t at his best at the Euros.

He did score one of the goals of the tournament, though, by equalizing last minute in the round of 16 against Slovakia with a bicycle kick.

4. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan & Argentina)

Previous Ranking: 9

Lautaro Martinez was Serie A’s Player of the Season and Golden Boot winner, with 24 league goals in 33 games. Inter Milan won their 20th scudetto in 2023-24 and Martinez was their key man.

The Argentine striker followed his excellent club form by winning the Golden Boot at Copa America. Martinez scored five times for Argentina and three of his goals came in substitute appearances, including the winning goal in the final against Colombia.

Martinez isn’t typically mentioned when pundits discuss the best strikers in the world but the numbers suggest he’s right up there with the best. He’s one of the best soccer bets today, at +6600 odds.

5. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid & Spain)

Previous Ranking: NR

Dani Carvajal wasn’t necessarily on the Ballon d’Or radar before his stellar performances at Euro 2024. However, he did score the winning goal in the Champions League Final. The Real Madrid and Spain right back was instrumental in Champions League, La Liga, and Euro 2024 title wins.

A defender hasn’t won the Ballon d’Or since Fabio Cannavaro, in 2006, and the odds are stacked against Carvajal. He comes in at +800.

6. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany)

Previous Ranking: 5

Toni Kroos’ last-ever club match ended in a Champions League triumph. He and Germany weren’t able to win the Euros but he did break records for his passing accuracy at the tournament. The legendary midfielder completed 95 percent of his passes at Euro 2024, the highest accuracy of any player in the history of the Euros.

Kroos’ odds have gone from +900 to +3300 and he drops from fifth to sixth in our Ballon d’Or final power rankings.

7. Kylian Mbappe (PSG & France)

Previous Ranking: 3

Big things are ahead for Kylian Mbappe (+3300), who recently joined Real Madrid. We fully expect him to join the list of Ballon d’Or winner s by the time his career is over, but he’s unlikely to win this year.

Yes, he did win another Ligue 1 title and another Ligue 1 Golden Boot award but he didn’t have a great Euro campaign. Mbappe scored just once, on a penalty, as France only managed one goal from open play all tournament.

8. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)

Previous Ranking: 4

Harry Kane (+4000) had the most prolific debut season in Bundesliga history, with 36 goals in 32 games. However, the striker’s Bayern Munich lost out on the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen and his England fell in the Euro 2024 Final against Spain.

Kane scored three times at the Euros but his performances were heavily criticized. Plus, he’s still never won a trophy in his senior career.

9. Phil Foden (Manchester City & England)

Previous Ranking: 6

Phil Foden won the Premier League’s Player of the Season award for his excellent performances for Manchester City. However, he was comparatively anonymous in England’s run to the Euro 2024 Final.

Foden hasn’t had a defining moment for the Three Lions yet but he’s set to be a key player for Man City for years to come. Foden sits at +3300 odds to win the Ballon d’Or.

10. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen & Germany)

Previous Ranking: 8

Just 21, Florian Wirtz was Bayer Leverkusen’s key player in their first-ever Bundesliga title run. Wirtz won the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season award scored 18 goals and provided 19 assists for the domestic double winners.

Wirtz was solid at the Euros as well, with two goals in five appearances. He doesn’t have the same name recognition as other players on the Ballon d’Or radar, though.