Ballon d’Or 2024 Rankings Updated After Kane, Mbappe Exit Champions League in Semis

• Joselu surprised Bayern Munich with two late goals to send Real Madrid to the Champions League final
• The record European champs face Borussia Dortmund in the last round on June 1 at Wembley Stadium
• Sports Brief reflects on how the semi-final outcomes impacted the race for the 2024 Ballon d'Or 2024

The 2024 Ballon d'Or race took an interesting turn after the conclusion of the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League on May 8.

Kylian Mbappe's pursuit for a maiden title with Paris Saint-Germain suffered an embarrassing end after Borussia Dortmund beat them home and away to qualify for the final at their expense.

Real Madrid then mounted another impressive comeback to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the second leg. Joselu, who was introduced from the bench, scored twice in three minutes to send the record champions through.

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Sports Brief looks at how the race for the 2024 Ballon d'Or has been affected by the UCL semi-final results.

Updated rankings for the 2024 Ballon d'Or

5. Phil Foden - Manchester City and England

Phil Foden is nine points away from winning his sixth Premier League trophy before his 24th birthday, but he will be the first to admit that this might be the first title he has largely contributed to.

He filled the void in Pep Guardiola's creative tank after Kevin De Bruyne's prolonged absence due to a hamstring injury, chipping in with 16 goals and eight assists in the league alone.

His exploits saw him win the Football Writers' Association Men's Footballer of the Year award, for which he received more than 42% of the votes cast. He could finish his club season with a domestic double before heading to Euros.

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Foden might feature prominently in an English side that are favourites, but Manchester City's quarter-final elimination in the Champions League won't do him any favours.

4. Harry Kane - Bayern Munich and England

Gareth Southgate's captain often has a say in major tournaments and this is certain to remain the same this summer despite the emergence of young talents like Foden, Bellingham and Cole Palmer.

That is the only way for the 30-year-old to win a trophy this season. He might have scored more goals than anyone this season, but the glaring absence of silverware from his CV will play against him.

He conjured up a delicious assist for Alphonso Davies at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium but was hooked off before the Real Madrid turnaround.

But as it stands, Kane would only bring 44 goals he has scored in the Bundesliga and the Champions League to the Ballon d'Or debate.

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3. Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain and France

Kylian Mbappe once again failed to guide his side to the Champions League final despite being presented with a 'favourable' route. The 25-year-old had a dull night in both legs, with Borussia Dortmund keeping two clean sheets.

The exit will hurt his chances despite winning a seventh Ligue 1 title. He has also scored 34 goals in France and the Champions League - only Kane has more goals in Europe.

Mbappe still has one chip to play in leading France to Euro glory, but like Foden, the lack of a Champions League trophy will drag him back.

2. Vinicius Junior - Real Madrid and Brazil

The Brazilian might have been overshadowed by Jude Bellingham's arrival and rapid adaptation, but statistics still show that he is a key person to Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Bellingham might have bossed proceedings in La Liga, but Vinicius has been the man in the Champions League with five goals and five assists. He scored the brace at Allianz Arena before forcing Manuel Neuer to a mistake that sparked the comeback in the return leg.

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With Neymar still out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, he will be Brazil's leading marksman at the expanded Copa America, which will be held in the United States of America. Bar the World Champions of Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, and a rejuvenated Uruguay side led by Marcelo Bielsa, the Samba Boys will be strong favourites to win.

1. Jude Bellingham - Real Madrid and England

The 20-year-old still remains on course to win his first major individual honours. His impressive numbers helped Los Blancos to their first La Liga title.

His detractors will, however, point to his little to no contribution in the Champions League knockout rounds where the aforementioned Vinicius has taken over.

A Champions League medal in his debut season in Spain and a decent showing at the Euros could see him pip his teammate and become the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

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Documenting PSG's biggest Champions League heartbreaks

Sports Brief has also reported on the other times PSG suffered Champions League heartbreak.

Despite heavy investment over the years, the Qatar-backed side have only reached the final once.

Borussia Dortmund beat them both home and away to set up a meeting Real Madrid in the last round.