The hype of the player winning the Ballon d’Or 2024 is crazy, but do any of these players deserve this prestigious award? Well, the number some of these players have put is incredible, but they do not match what Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have set through the years. The stats that these two legends have put through the last decade were incredible, and none has come close to these numbers.
The most talked about players are of course Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and the French forward Kylian Mbappé. These three players have been making waves and their names transcend above every other player because of what they have performed throughout last season. But there is a problem, these players do not have been consistent and produced the same level of quality in the ongoing league.
Also, their club stats might be incredible, but they have not produced any magic through the season even at the national level are just average or below average. Let us dive deeper, dissect each player, and see if they are Ballon d’Or worthy.
Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior has had an incredible season with Real Madrid, he scored 24 and assisted in 11 goals, which have propelled him in the Ballon d’Or power ranking. He has been, instrumental in Real Madrid’s dominance, and this has made him a strong contender for the prestigious award.
However, his performances have some doubts and holes in them, he has not been consistent throughout the season. Frankly speaking, he has not quite reached the level of consistent brilliance displayed by past Ballon d’Or winners. While his current form is undeniably great, he failed to maintain it throughout the season. His performances at the Copa America were also absolutely below average.
And not to forget, he blamed the referees and the pitches for the poor quality they displayed at the tournament. This is not Ballon d’Or worthy, he needs to prove his consistency to truly be considered the world’s best.
Jude Bellingham
Jude has been the most hyped player throughout the season, yes the number he produced for Real Madrid was incredible, 23 goals and 11 assists in a new club is a great run. His technical brilliance, vision, and knack for scoring crucial goals have propelled him into the conversation for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
The English media even went ahead to hype him to where they saw him carrying the three lions to a coveted Euro 2024 trophy. But the truth is he is not the type of player to carry his team to a trophy, he needs players around him to look better. He has not produced any magic moments throughout the season and his performances at the Euros 2024.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is currently hailed as the world’s best player. He has been an incredible player throughout last season with PSG at Ligue 1 level. He managed to accumulate 44 goals and seven assists. While his performances at Ligue 1 were above average, he did not stand out in the UEFA Champions League. He struggles especially during the first leg against Barcelona.
His performances at the Euros have been undoubtedly below average, he has struggled on the international stage exposing some potential weaknesses. The pressure of carrying a nation’s hopes seemed to weigh heavily on him. His underwhelming performances have raised the question is he a Ballon d’Or worthy this year.
The Ballon d’Or should reward exceptional consistency, impact, and moments of brilliance.
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About the Author
From Mbale, Uganda, Wopicho Tony is a rising star in the world of football punditry. This self-proclaimed football fanatic bleeds passion for the beautiful game. With an eye for talent and a deep understanding of the sport’s intricacies, Tony’s analysis is both insightful and engaging. Check out the blog about African football on Footy Africa.
