Ballon d’Or 2024: Messi ‘Sneaks’ Back into Debate amid Bellingham, Vinicius Concerns

• Lionel Messi's time at the top of the footballing world was thought to be over when he left Europe for the USA in 2023
• He has posted impressive numbers in the MLS but has often been considered an outside runner for the Ballon d'Or
• Fans are divided on who deserves the award, with the perceived frontrunners failing to sparkle for their countries

By his own admission, Lionel Messi has already 'given up' on individual awards. After winning the 2022 World Cup, he had everything he ever wanted in football, and everything else was just a bonus.

Soon after, he claimed a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or and left Europe, with history suggesting that winning the Ballon d'Or while not playing in Europe is a fete that has never been achieved before.

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Given that his arch-rival over the years, Cristiano Ronaldo, had left for Saudi Arabia six months prior, Messi left a void that was quickly filled, in part, by the rising exciting talents across the top-five leagues.

Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Kylian Mbappe have hogged the headlines this year and are expected to be among the frontrunners of the 2024 Ballon d'Or award.

2024 Ballon d'Or favourites

However, the fans are grappling with the fact that of the frontrunners, no one has put in beyond the exquisite performances that they were accustomed to when Messi and Ronaldo went head to head for the last 15 or so years.

Despite starring in the knock-out stages of the Champions League, Vinicius Junior started his Copa America campaign on a bad note. The 23-year-old lasted only 69 minutes of the Brazil game against Costa Rica.

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Bellingham was technically absent in Los Blancos' run to winning the Champions League. He scored England's first goal in Germany but went under the radar in the next two games as Gareth Southgate faces increased scrutiny.

Phil Foden was the main man in Manchester City's history-making season but has blown hot and cold in the Champions League and at Euro 2024. The same can be said for Mbappe and Harry Kane.

In short, every player seems to have a 'deficiency' everywhere you look.

Can Messi win a ninth Ballon d'Or title?

This elicited questions online as to whether Messi can mount a charge for a ninth title later this year. The conversation gained traction after Bellingham and Vinicius looked pale in their respective international competitions.

Fans are convinced that winning the Copa America with Argentina could put him back right in contention. A presumable Messi fan, @CFCMod, said:

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"Messi is giving everyone a chance for once for the Ballon d’Or, and they’re all stinking it up. Make a mistake of letting us dominate the Copa America and win the trophy again."

@AsiwajuLarry said:

"If the Ballon d’Or ever comes down to Leo Messi or Jude Bellingham, I don’t mind Messi winning it for the 9th time."

Well, for starters, Messi will need to post better numbers at Copa America for him to have even the slightest chance. Argentina might be through to the knock-out stage, but their captain has only one assist so far.

Where does Messi's MLS rank in the world?

Additionally, Major League Soccer is severely dwarfed by the European Leagues, especially the Champions League, which is often a huge factor in deciding which way the Ballon d'Or vote will go. According to a 2024 study by Opta, the MLS is only ranked as the tenth-best league in the world behind the Brazilian league.

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Therefore, Messi's 12 goals and 14 assists might not have the same pull when scored in the MLS as they would have had in a European league. Also, given that the American league follows a different timetable, Messi won't have a club trophy to show for when the vote is held on October 28 this year.

Winning the Copa America might help him rank better, but beating one of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham to the award might just be too tall of an order.

However, Vinicius and Bellingham need to pull their weight for their national teams to quieten the murmurs around the credentials for the lucrative gong.

2024 Women's Ballon d'Or rankings

In a separate report, Sports Brief also previously ranked the candidates for the Women's Ballon d'Or 2024.

Aitana Bonmati is believed to be on a stroll for a second consecutive award after starring for Barcelona again.

Players representing La Blaugrana have dominated the Ballon d'Or list after they won a first-ever quadruple.