The 2024 Ballon d’Or was awarded to Rodri, marking a new era after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from nominations. Vinicius Junior missed out on winning the award, while Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal were also runners-up. Lamine Yamal received the Kopa Trophy as a young talent, and Kylian Mbappé, a high earner, was among nominees despite facing a personal controversy. The ceremony took place at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on October 28, 2024.
The identity of Lionel Messi’s successor has been revealed. The prestigious Ballon d’Or was presented on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Notably absent from this year’s list of nominees was Cristiano Ronaldo, marking the first time since 2003 that he did not feature. With eight accolades under his belt, Messi also did not compete this year. This 68th edition shifted the spotlight to a new wave of talent, with Rodri, the 28-year-old midfielder from Manchester City, emerging as the surprise winner. Named the best player of Euro 2024, Rodri reportedly earns around 13 million euros annually, translating to just over a million euros each month, as reported by France Mercato.
Meanwhile, Brazilian sensation Vinicius Junior faced disappointment, falling short of becoming the first Brazilian to secure the Ballon d’Or since Kaká achieved the feat 17 years ago. At just 24 years old, the Real Madrid striker has celebrated victories in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Spanish Supercup this season. Known as “Vini,” he is not just recognized for his on-field prowess but also for his courageous stance against racism, a personal battle he’s bravely confronted amidst widespread abuse. Financially, Vinicius’s current deal with Real Madrid sees him earning nearly 25 million euros a year, equivalent to over 2 million euros monthly, according to Foot Mercato.
Bellingham and Carvajal in the Spotlight
Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior’s teammate, was also present at the Ballon d’Or 2024 ceremony but could not eclipse Rodri’s triumph. Since joining Real Madrid in 2023, Bellingham has reportedly been earning just over 20 million euros each year, or around 1.67 million euros monthly, as per Foot Mercato.
Dani Carvajal, another Real Madrid player, was in the running for the esteemed title. The 32-year-old defender is said to make nearly 10 million euros annually, translating to over 850,000 euros a month. In a notable achievement, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal from Barcelona, a promising talent anticipated for future Ballon d’Or accolades, was awarded the Kopa Trophy. Despite his youth, he reportedly earns more than 1.5 million euros a year, according to Foot Mercato.
Among the nominees was Kylian Mbappé. While his chances of winning this year were slim, the French star showcased impressive statistics, netting 52 goals in 59 appearances. Financially, the captain of Les Bleus is considered one of the top-earning footballers globally in 2023, as reported by Forbes.
Ranked fourth, he earned $90 million last year, along with an additional $20 million from endorsements and other ventures. As a brand ambassador for several companies, including Dior, Mbappé joined Real Madrid officially last June. Although his salary has reportedly seen a decrease, this has been balanced out by various performance bonuses and income from image rights.