Ballon d'Or 2024 DECIDED: Winner and 1-2-3 picked for this year as award enters new era

It's an award that has been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the best pat of two decades - but a new name will be on the golden ball.

Argentinian ace Messi and his great rival Ronaldo have shared the Ballon d'Or for 13 of the last 16 years eight for Messi, five for Ronaldo - but with the legendary duo now in the twilight of their respective careers and playing their trade outside of the big leagues then it means the most prestigious individual prize in football is heading into a new era.

But the big question is who will claim the glittering prize and the glitzy awards bash in Paris? Kylian Mbappe looked most likely for a return to his home city in the French capital but but his Euro 2024 nightmare and final season disappointment at Paris-Saint Germain after another Champions League failure means he's unlikely to be anywhere near the podium on Monday night.

And instead it's his new Real Madrid team-mate and Brazil star Vinicius Jr and Brazil star who has designs on the crown himself.

For the Premier League, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is a contender, such has been his remarkable goalscoring record at the Etihad, but the man most likely may well be his Etihad pal Rodri, outstanding in City's Premier League triumph and a key conductor in Spain's Euro 2024 success. With all that being said, we asked our Record Sport writers for their 1-2-3 ahead of the ceremony, and to decide on their most likely winner too. Here's what they came up with...

It’s still a bit strange not seeing Messi and Ronaldo fighting it out so the trophy is more wide open these days. Vinicius Jr is the stand out though. The Real Madrid man has been outstanding over the last 18 months and is probably the best player on the