- (5) Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
In 2023-24: 19 goals, 11 assists. Won Supercopa de Espana.
Due to injury, Vinicius did not get off to the quick start that many may have anticipated when Karim Benzema departed Real Madrid; nevertheless, the winger appears to be returning to his peak now that he has overcome his physical problems.
He scored three goals in the Spanish Super Cup final to help his team defeat Barcelona, and he has been in excellent goal-scoring form in La Liga as Carlo Ancelotti’s team approaches the title at home. They are currently the favorites to win the Champions League as well, and Vinicius is aware of what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of European competition.
When you factor in that he’ll also likely be Brazil’s main man at the Copa America following Neymar’s season-ending knee injury, Vinicius is set up for a memorable 2024.
- (4) Phil Foden (Manchester City)
In 2023-24: 23 goals, 10 assists. Won Club World Cup & UEFA Super Cup.
Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne have both missed significant portions of the season due to injuries, therefore Foden has stepped up magnificently for City and is having the best season of his already successful career.
Since the beginning of the year, he has scored two Premier League hat-tricks, helping Pep Guardiola’s team win a fourth straight domestic championship. However, his incredible goal against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu proved to be in vain as City lost on penalties following the second leg.
That said, not only is he in contention for multiple trophies with City, Foden’s form has also given him a great chance of starting for much-fancied England at Euro 2024, too. He’s fallen back in the Ballon d’Or race, but he’s not out of it yet.
- (3) Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
In 2023-24: 44 goals, 13 assists.
After losing the Bundesliga crown to Bayer Leverkusen, Kane’s move to Bayern was supposed to place him in a position where he could finally end the wait for his first trophy of his career. However, it appeared as though the Bavarians might not have any hardware at the end of the season. They do, however, possess the quality to compete throughout Europe and demonstrated their resolve by defeating Arsenal in the Champions League.
For the reigning champions, Kane is averaging more than a goal per game in the league and is still shattering records. Therefore, if he were to do the Champions League-Euro 2024 double, or even just come close to it, a first Ballon d’Or may cover one of the slots on his mantlepiece.
- (2) Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2023-24: 47 goals, 16 assists. Won Trophee des Champions.
This will be Mbappe’s last Ballon d’Or campaign as a PSG player, and the long-term transfer to Real Madrid is anticipated to be finalized in the upcoming weeks, so the story is almost done. The current Ligue 1 winners are already well-positioned to retain their title thanks to Mbappe’s goals, and they are now dreaming of Champions League glory as well, since the forward’s two goals completed a quarterfinal comeback victory over Barcelona.
Given that many believe France will win Euro 2024, the 25-year-old may yet have an incredible finish to the 2023–24 campaign and could even be within striking reach of winning his first Golden Ball.
- (1) Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
In 2023-24: 23 goals, 13 assists. Won Supercopa de Espana.
During the first half of the 2023–24 season, Bellingham was the best football player in the world. At Real Madrid, he adjusted to his new surroundings faster than any new signing since Cristiano Ronaldo. Not only did he score often, but he also scored goals that were really significant.
His injury and suspension-related absences from games had somewhat muted the excitement surrounding him in recent months, but he rekindled it with a relentless effort to help eliminate Manchester City from the Champions League and then score his second stoppage-time goal of the season in El Clasico.
With Bellingham returning to form, England will be optimistic that they can finally overcome their big tournament disadvantage at the European Championship. We are merely residing in his world for the time being.