Mbappe no longer has a chance in the 2024 Ballon d’Or race.
On a humid night in Munich in the early morning of July 10 (Hanoi time), Mbappe may have been thinking about the 2024 Ballon d’Or title. That was just a few minutes into the match, when he had a well-placed pass for Muani to head in the opening goal, 1-0.
It was a rare shining moment for Mbappe at EURO this year. With the Ballon d’Or race becoming more open than ever, Mbappe knows he has a great chance.
It all ended after France lost 1-2 to Spain at the Allianz Arena. Mbappe will have to sit back and watch his colleagues crowned at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris next October.
No hope
Mbappe has been leading the race for the 2024 Ballon d’Or at times, having had an outstanding season in terms of personal statistics with PSG. Mbappe scored 43 goals and had 10 assists after 45 appearances for the club in the 2023/24 season.
But that was before Real Madrid won the 2023/24 Champions League. As the Copa America and EURO this summer are about to kick off, Vinicius Jr is the brightest name for the 2024 Golden Ball award.
Thanks to his record of winning the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League, along with his outstanding scoring and assisting statistics, the Real Madrid star has the advantage. When Vinicius failed with Brazil in the 2024 Copa America, hope became brighter for other candidates.
The lackluster performances of Bellingham, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane at EURO 2024 have made Mbappe’s chances greater than ever. If France win the European Championship this summer, Mbappe will certainly be the strongest candidate.
Mbappe admits to having a failed EURO 2024.
However, that was not to be. France never looked like a real title contender in this tournament. In the semi-finals, they were beaten by a superior team, who were much sharper in attack and controlled their midfield extremely well.
Mbappe could not help “Les Bleus” in the match against Spain, except for the assist to open the score. He was completely overshadowed by Lamine Yamal, who is 9 years younger than him but played like a candidate for the Golden Ball.
Obviously, Yamal is not on the list of top candidates for the 2024 Ballon d’Or race. The 16-year-old Barca star is only worthy of the “Golden Boy” category, an award given by France Football to promising young talents.
However, if Yamal continues to play well in the EURO 2024 final, it is unknown what could happen.
Opportunity for whom?
The end of Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or race will open up opportunities for England, Argentina and especially Spain. Kane and Bellingham will have the advantage if they help England win EURO 2024.
Bellingham is obviously still rated higher than Kane, as the Real Madrid midfielder has had an extremely successful season at club level. However, if Kane plays much better than his junior in the rest of the EURO, anything is possible.
Outstanding statistics with Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 season help the England striker enter the race. Kane scored 43 goals and had 11 assists after 43 matches, a number not inferior to Mbappe or Vinicius.
The fact that Kane or Bellingham did not play very well at EURO 2024 will mean they will have to compete fiercely with Messi, Fede Valverde or even Rodri.
Rodri can surprise.
Messi just scored to help Argentina advance to the final of Copa America 2024. If Leo shines again to help Argentina win Copa America 2024, no one can underestimate him in the race. If Spain or Uruguay win this summer, Valverde or Rodri also have a great chance.
Rodri doesn’t have a Champions League title like Valverde this season, but the Man City midfielder’s performance at EURO 2024 was quite outstanding, as he was central to the “La Roja” style of play.
At club level, Rodri was also one of the best players to help Man City win the Premier League. The 2024 Ballon d’Or award ceremony is still 3 months away, but everything will be clearer after the Copa America and EURO finals next week.