Ballon d'Or 2024 Nominees: No Italians and Only One Serie A Player

According to journalist Alessandro Grandesso, the race for the France Football Ballon d'Or features thirty nominees, though contenders span players from Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain, alongside global competitors such as Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal. The ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, marking a venue shift from Paris and introducing a first-time organizational and promotional partnership with UEFA, according to reporting by Grandesso. Paris Saint-Germain anchors the shortlist following another strong European campaign. According to Grandesso, players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia, and Fabián Ruiz contend for the honor alongside teammates like Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Ferran Torres, Vitinha, and Kylian Mbappé—though Mbappé now plays for Real Madrid. Dembélé, who won the award previously in Paris, stated via Grandesso that while he would vote for peers like Kvaratskhelia, Kane, or Mbappé, he believes the trophy will remain with a Parisian player. Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr., who led the scoring charts in La Liga, the Champions League, and the World Cup, told Grandesso, 'I vote for me, are of the idea of being able to win it already this year.' Did you know? According to Grandesso, the Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place in London on October 26, moving away from its traditional home in Paris and featuring a first-time organizational collaboration with UEFA. Global Contenders and Youth Award Nominations Beyond the French capital, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal enters the discussion after finishing second in the previous edition, telling Grandesso, 'I think I have a good bit of possibility too, because I've done a great season.' Yamal is also nominated for the young player trophy, where Grandesso reports he faces competition from Alajbegovic (Juventus), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain), Bouaddi (Manchester City), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Diomandé (Real Madrid), Karl (Bayern Munich), Kroupi (Bournemouth), Manzambi (Aston Villa), and Maza (Bayer Leverkusen). Meanwhile, Michel Platini favors Kvaratskhelia for the main prize, according to Grandesso. The Yashin Trophy and Managerial Candidates In the goalkeeper category, Gianluigi Donnarumma exits the running after winning the category's Ballon d'Or in 2021 and 2025, with Matvey Safonov stepping in for Paris Saint-Germain, as reported by Grandesso. The Yashin Trophy shortlist also features Dibu Martinez, Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Garcia (Barcelona), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli), Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), and 40-year-old Vozinha (Colo-Colo), who reached the list following a strong World Cup with Cape Verde. For best manager, Grandesso notes that four of the five nominees are Spanish: Luis Enrique, Spain national team coach De La Fuente, Manchester City finalist Arteta, and Aston Villa's Europa League winner Unai Emery, alongside Bayern Munich's Vincent Kompany. The Italian Absence and Voting Panel Grandesso highlights a complete absence of Italian men or women among the player and club nominees, with Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez serving as the lone exception for the club. The voting process relies on one hundred journalists from the top one hundred FIFA countries, who evaluate players on individual performance, decisive and scenic character, collective achievements, honors, class, and fair play, according to Grandesso. In the women's category, Grandesso reports that Barcelona's Aitana Putellas stands as the favorite for her third Ballon d'Or following prior wins in 2021 and 2022, challenged by Tessa Wullaert (Como). Complete List of 30 Nominees Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona) Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid) Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich) Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) Gabriel (Arsenal) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain) Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain) Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain) Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain) Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah) Declan Rice (Arsenal) Rodri (Barcelona) Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain) William Saliba (Arsenal) Ferran Torres (Paris Saint-Germain) Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid) Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) Frequently Asked Questions When and where is the Ballon d'Or ceremony taking place? According to Alessandro Grandesso, the ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London. Who are the main contenders for the 2025 Ballon d'Or? According to Grandesso, frontrunners include Paris Saint-Germain players like Ousmane Dembélé and Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia, alongside Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Vinícius Jr. Are there any Italian players nominated for the award? According to Grandesso, no Italian players appear on the thirty-man shortlist, though Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez represents his club. Who votes for the Ballon d'Or winner? According to Grandesso, a jury of one hundred journalists from the top one hundred FIFA countries determines the winner. Explore more sports coverage and share your predictions for the upcoming ceremony in the comments below. All-Time Table Italia Serie A | 1929-2024