CAN THE 2024 BALLON D’OR BE DECIDED IN THE EURO AND COPA AMERICA FINALS?

Votre programme dans un instant

With Spain-England in the Euro final, Jude Bellingham can get the better of Vinicius Junior. On the Copa America side with Argentina-Colombia, Lionel Messi can put up a fight.

Will the Ballon d’Or be played on July 14? The 2023-2024 football season ends this Sunday with the finals of the Euro and the Copa America: Spain-England in Berlin, Argentina-Colombia in Miami. Two games that could have a considerable influence on the results of the most prestigious of individual awards.

With the Three Lions, Jude Bellingham further strengthens his status as a major contender for the Ballon d’Or. Winner of the Champions League with Real Madrid, the English midfielder was his country’s savior by equalizing in the last minute with an acrobatic overhead kick against Slovakia in the round of 16 (2-1 after extra time) . He also distinguished himself by scoring the only goal in the insipid first match of the group stage against Serbia (1-0). Without being flamboyant in the game, the number therefore largely contributed to his team’s qualification for a second consecutive final.

His teammate Harry Kane could also, in the event of a major performance, invite himself to the debate. But notwithstanding his 44 goals scored with Bayern Munich and his status as joint top scorer in the competition with three goals, he is starting from much further back given his blank season at club level this season.

Lamine Yamal joins the debate

On the Spanish side, the Catalan media are making a little music: what if Lamine Yamal did it? The only best passer in the tournament (three assists) and a magnificent key scorer in the semi-final against France , the FC Barcelona star is bluffing the entire continent while he is only about to blow out his 17th candle on the eve of the final. “The emergence of Lamine Yamal is not normal and what he is creating around the world forces us to consider scenarios, including that of the Ballon d’Or, with the added value of his adolescence”, exclaims the Barcelona newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

In the meantime, English bookmakers still place Dani Carvajal , scorer in the Champions League final, and Rodri , cornerstone of this Roja and Manchester City, ahead of the new darling of European football.

Messi needs a very big final

As for the Copa America, even if the returning James Rodriguez surprises with his four man of the match trophies with Colombia, the eyes are obviously on Lionel Messi. The eight-time winner and last recipient can make an impression again even if he has only one goal and one assist since the start of the tournament. But to consider a ninth trophy, he would certainly need an anthology final to allow voters to overlook the fact that he no longer plays at the top level with Inter Miami.

This summer of international competitions has made Vinicius Junior lose ground , considered the best player in the world after Real Madrid’s Liga-Champions League double. Brazil’s elimination in the quarter-finals of the Copa America could cost him. However, the disappointment is not comparable to that of Kylian Mbappé, who lost all his chances after his failed European Championship.