The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced in London on Monday, sparking debate over who deserves football's most prestigious award. European football expert Julien Laurens argues Kylian Mbappe was the best player in Europe last season, particularly in the Champions League where he was outstanding and helped lead Real Madrid to a back-to-back title. However, Laurens suggests Lamine Yamal may win due to entertainment value despite a quiet World Cup and early Champions League exit with Barcelona.
Ex-Liverpool and Blackburn full-back Stephen Warnock predicts Lamine Yamal will win for helping Spain lift the World Cup, while highlighting Michael Olise and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as strong alternatives. BBC Radio 5 Live Euro Leagues guest and Athletic reporter Rory Smith believes the award will likely go to Yamal because it generally goes to someone who has won the biggest trophy. Smith personally would give it to Kvaratskhelia, who has been the most exciting player in European club football and helped Paris St-Germain retain the Champions League.
The consensus suggests the winner will likely come from the shortlist of Yamal, Kane, Mbappe, or Messi, with Kvaratskhelia emerging as a dark horse candidate despite Georgia's absence from the World Cup.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing