The debate over who will win the Ballon d'Or for the best player of the year 2024 continues in light of the decline in the performance of Lionel Messi, the record holder for the number of times winning the prestigious award, and the brilliance of some rising stars.
The Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo" revealed in a report that the young Spanish star, Lamine Jamal, 16 years old, who is currently shining in the European Nations Cup in Germany, may compete to win the Golden Ball for the year 2024, thanks to his exceptional performance this season.
“The Barcelona star needs to deliver an exceptional performance in the Euro 2024 final (Spain awaits the winner of the England-Netherlands match), and perhaps a decisive goal like he did against France in the semi-final, or perhaps some decisive passes to add to the three goals he has made so far in the continental tournament, in order to enhance his chances of competing for the Golden Ball,” she added.
The newspaper pointed out that Rodri, Manchester City's midfielder and teammate of Lamine Jamal in the Spanish national team, may also be one of the most prominent candidates to win the Golden Ball if Spain wins the 2024 European Cup.
"If Spain wins the European Championship, it will not be the first time in history that a great performance in an international competition with the national team is enough to win the Golden Ball," she explained.
The Spanish newspaper gave examples of this: “Former Soviet Union striker Igor Belanov won the Golden Ball award in 1986 because he scored four goals in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, from which his team was eliminated in the round of 16.”
She continued: "German Matthias Sammer won the award in 1996 in recognition of his performance in the 1996 European Championship in England, which he won, noting that he also won the German League with Borussia Dortmund. In 2023, Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball thanks to the exceptional World Cup he won with Argentina in December 2022."
The newspaper stressed that if England wins the Euro 2024 title, and this scenario is very likely, the debate will certainly end, as the Three Lions and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham will receive the award, regardless of performance, as the English star will add the continental title to the Champions League and Spanish League titles that he won last season in his first season with Real.
Mundo Deportivo confirmed that there are no more candidates from other teams on the horizon to win the Golden Ball for 2024, because even the Argentine Lionel Messi, who has already qualified with his country to the Copa America final, has not performed well this season, and his move to play with Inter Miami in the American League already reduces his chances of obtaining a record ninth Golden Ball for him after winning the last Golden Ball in 2023.