After the end of the 2023/24 season, the “Golden Ball” race has somewhat ended when strong candidates were revealed.

The 2023/24 season has ended with many unexpected and exciting developments. Let’s look back at the most notable highlights of this season, through our series!

The 2023/24 season has basically ended when the champions of the top 5 European leagues have been determined. Man City won the throne in England, Real Madrid won the throne in Spain, PSG continued to hold the throne in France, similar to Inter’s story in Italy. Meanwhile, Leverkusen suddenly won the Bundesliga championship .

Messi is unlikely to win the 9th “Golden Ball”.

These results have an important influence on the “2024 Golden Ball” race. It can be said that the era of Ronaldo and Messi is over when the Portuguese superstar did not even make it into the group with a chance to compete, and Messi only ranked 16th on the list of candidates voted by Goal.

The “2024 Golden Ball” is considered a race for “2k” talents, meaning players born from 2000 onwards. Kylian Mbappe, born in 1998, is the “oldest” player in the group of 5 players considered candidates. However, the French striker’s unsuccessful performance in the European Cup is a huge minus point.

The person leading the list is Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid. The Brazilian striker has 23 goals and 11 assists in the 2023/24 season, helping the “White Vultures” win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. Players born in 2000 still have a chance to score huge points when Real Madrid also reaches the Champions League final.

Stars aged “2k” like Bellingham, Vinius or Foden have great opportunities

Vincius’ biggest rival in the “Golden Ball” race is teammate Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder proves that the price of 150 million euros that Real Madrid paid is not expensive. In terms of personal achievements, Bellingham was even more impressive than Vinicius with 25 goals and 15 assists.

Because this couple is on the same team, their achievements in the C1 Cup do not have much meaning. The “Golden Ball” race will probably only be decided after the two continental tournaments at the national team level, EURO and Copa America, end. The achievements of England and Brazil in these two tournaments will be decisive.

Another strong candidate for the “Golden Ball” race is Phil Foden of Man City. The English midfielder has made strong progress during the season, scoring 28 goals and 11 assists. Foden overshadowed two other famous teammates, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.

Compared to Vinicius and Bellingham, Foden has no chance in the C1 Cup. But this player continues to shine in the England shirt at EURO 2024, Foden’s chances of winning the “Golden Ball” are extremely “bright”.