The rankings of the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony was disclosed on Tuesday. It is French football’s most prestigious award which is given to the best player of the calendar year. However, fans around the believes, this time ‘the best’ player didn’t win it.
A lot of controversy took place on Tuesday night, when no presentative from the ‘Club of the Year’ Real Madrid attended the ceremony. Because they were informed that Blancos star winger Vinicius Junior wasn’t going to lift the Golden Ball. For the last couple of months, it was almost clear that Vini was going to win the Ballon d’Or.
But 6 hours before the ceremony, everything turned upside down. When Spanish media including Marca confirmed that Man City‘s Rodri is the 2024 Golden Ball winner. This news shocked the whole world, and fans started to blame UEFA. As they believed Vini was ‘robbed’ off the Ballon d’Or because of the dispute between Real’s president Florentino Perez and UEFA.
It is hard to say that Rodri didn’t deserve the Golden Ball, after his achievements in the past two seasons. But when comparing to Vinicius a very long debate can take place. The only one thing we can say quoted by Madrid Legend Karim Benzema yesterday, “I’m in my sofa watching TV and Rodri doesn’t do anything that makes you say: wow!”
However, though one of City’s player won the Golden Ball, but it is surprising that they weren’t the team with the most number of players in the top 30 of the BDR rankings, from the English League. It was Arsenal who had 4 players in the top 30 which is the most by any Premier League club this year. Let’s see who are they and where they finished.
Declan Rice (26th- fourth highest):
English defensive midfielder Declan Rice finished at the 26th place on Tuesday. He is the 4th highest amongst the Gunners. Setting aside his importance in the Arsenal squad, Rice was also one of the key players behind Three Lion’s campaign in the Euro’s where the finished at the 2nd place.
William Saliba (24th- third highest):
Without a dobut William Saliba was one of the best defenders in the Premier League last season. With his help the Gunners managed to have 16 clean sheets in the league. And he was also arguably the best defender in the Euro’s campaign few months ago. As he was named in the Euro 2024 team of the tournament.
With his performances he finished at the 24the place in the BDR rankings. Which was the third highest amongst the Gunners.
Bukayo Saka (21st- second highest Arsenal player):
It is almost impossible to leave behind Arsenal’s star boy in a list about the Gunners. Bukayo Saka finished at the 21st place on Tuesday night, which was the second highest for Arsenal. The 23-year-old winger is just getting better and better day by day.
He was not only one of Arsenal’s key player but also was an important part of England’s campaign in the Euro 2024. Saka had a goal contribution of above 35 last season across all competitions, which is the most amongst the Gunners. There is no doubt he will be in the podium someday in the near future. And who knows, he may even win the Golden Ball.
Martin Odegaard (19th- highest Arsenal player):
Without a doubt captain Martin Odegaard is the main man behind Arsenal’s current form in the last three seasons. And he finished at the highest at the 2024 Ballon d’Or amongst any Arsenal player. The 25-year-old impact on the pitch was so important for the Gunners. But he was unfortunate not to lift the silverware at last.
As a attacking midfielder he had a goal contribution of above 25, which is just too good. He finished at a respectable 19th place, the only Arsenal player inside the top 20’s.
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