The Ballon d’Or award is the greatest individual prize that a player can receive in soccer. The race to be crowned this year’s winner is the most wide-open in years with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s generational domination set to come to an end.
With the 2024 award coming at the end of an international tournament year, the leading teams at EURO 2024 and Copa America are sure to see the hopes of their leading players boosted. One nation that could see more than one of their players truly join the race after an impressive competition is Spain.
Two Spanish players have surely forced themselves into the Ballon d’Or reckoning with their influential international performances in Germany.
Rodri Hernandez
Rodri Hernandez is widely acknowledged as the best defensive midfielder on the planet and he has shown that for club and country this year.
He first helped Manchester City to Premier League glory and could add a trophy at the international level at EURO 2024. The EURO 2024 winner odds feature Spain as the -138 favourite to win the final which they beat France to progress to. In a bet on Spain vs England, Rodri is offered at 15/2 to directly impact the scoresheet in Berlin and that would especially elevate his Ballon d’Or hopes.
Rodri will likely remain a genuine competitor for the award regardless of Spain’s fortunes in the final. However, leading his team to glory as the standout player could potentially push him to the front of the list of Ballon d’Or hopefuls.
Natural born winner. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/GmEkJC2JiE
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 9, 2024
Besides the mere fact that Rodri could have two major titles on his 2024 record, he has been arguably the most important player for both City and Spain in their endeavours. It would be difficult to argue he does not deserve the Ballon d’Or award if he helps his nation over the line too.
Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal is another player who has been incredibly influential for club and country in 2024. He scored the decisive opening goal in the UCL final for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund and was vital defensively throughout the competition.
His performances with Spain though are what should help push him into Ballon d’Or challenger territory. Out of possession, he has had absolutely no issues dealing with any calibre of wide talent at the tournament – the likes of Jamal Musiala and Federico Chiesa were nullified when playing on Carvajal’s flank.
In possession, the experienced fullback has commonly inverted into midfield at EURO 2024 to aid Spain’s domination in the middle of the park – which has been a common theme of their style at the tournament.
Dani Carvajal preparing for the final. pic.twitter.com/tY6bX2AK2r
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 11, 2024
Ultimately, like Rodri, Carvajal has been crucial at both ends of the pitch for his country and that should benefit his Ballon d’Or bid alongside his vital impact in a double-winning season for Madrid.
In causing a slight shock in going all of the way to the EURO 2024 final Spain has without doubt improved two of their players’ chances of being named the leading player of the year.
If they are to win the final though, Rodri could foreseeably become the leading Ballon d’Or candidate and Carvajal could throw himself into the midst of the leading group of favourites.