Ballon d'Or 2024: Early results show Real Madrid star will win award

• Ballon d'Or organisers have set up an online platform where fans can vote for the players they want to win in the 2024 edition
• A total of 10 awards will be given at the ceremony, including the men's and women's Ballon d'Or awards
• Vinicius Junior is now widely expected to win his first Golden Ball after a dominant season with Real Madrid

The winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or award will be known in three weeks when football elites meet at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on October 28.

This year's race has been primed as a battle between Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham and midfield lynchpin Rodri.

Ballon d'Or 2024 favourites Rodri and Vinicius Junior. Photo by Federico Titone.
Source: Getty Images

Bellingham started last season decently but faded in the second half where Vinicius Junior brought his A-game. The Brazilian led Los Blancos to another Champions League title and swept everyone in La Liga as well.

Rodri, meanwhile, starred in Manchester City's side that won their fourth Premier League title in a row before guiding Spain to Euro glory against Bellingham's England.

Vinicius Junior leads Ballon d'Or vote

The award's organisers have set up a fan vote, inviting the game's fans to give their opinions on who should win.

At the time of writing, Vinicius had a commanding lead with 52.8% of total votes cast. In second place, and rather surprisingly, is Inter Milan's captain, Lautaro Martinez, who had a strong outing last season.

The Argentine led the Nerazzurri to the Serie A title before starring in the Copa America for Argentina. He is a distant second with 10.4% of the fan vote. Bellingham, Rodri and Lamine Yamal wrap up the top five.

Aitana Bonmati at Ballon d'Or

The other awards that will be dished out include the women's Ballon d'Or, where Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati is expected to make it back-to-back triumphs.

Lamine Yamal is also a shoo-in for the Kopa Trophy, while Xabi Alonso will rival Carlo Ancelotti for the men's best coach award.

Ballon d'Or winner confirmed

Legit.ng had earlier reported that Vinicius had already been told he would win the Ballon d'Or award.

Reports in Spain intimated that the Real Madrid forward had already been informed, and plans were already underway for his crowning on October 28.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke