Ballon d'Or 2024: Make way for the new generation (Ranking, Date, Favorites, etc.)

Gone are the days when you could bet blindly on Messi or Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or. This year, it's a cold shower for fans of both legends. For the first time in ages (well, 21 years to be precise), neither one is in the list of 30 nominees. It's quite a shock, isn't it?

Imagine. The last time these two weren't in the running was in 2003. Back then, Messi was just 16 and still playing in Barça's youth teams. Ronaldo, on the other hand, had just arrived at Manchester United. Suffice to say, that was an eternity ago.

But hey, let's not kid ourselves. We knew it was going to happen one day. Messi going to play in MLS, Ronaldo going into exile in Saudi Arabia... It was written. Even if it's weird not seeing them there anymore, maybe it's time to move on, right?

So, who will succeed them? We have a few youngsters jostling at the door. Jude Bellingham, for example. The kid is making sparks at Real Madrid. Or Vinicius Jr, still at Real. And then, obviously, our national Kylian. He is the only Frenchman with William Saliba to have been selected in the list. Not bad for a world champion country, eh?

But be careful, it's not just the big names from Spain. Harry Kane, now that he's having fun at Bayern, could well create a surprise. And what about Erling Haaland? The Norwegian robot stacks up goals like others stack up dirty plates. Not to mention the little German prodigy Florian Wirtz, who is working wonders with Bayer Leverkusen.

Frankly, it promises to be a spectacle for the ceremony on October 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet. I can't wait to see who will leave with the precious trophy. It's going to be close, I'm telling you!

You know what? This list without Messi or Ronaldo, it feels a bit like a night out with friends where the two most popular guys don't show up. At first, we're a bit disappointed, but in the end, it allows others to shine. And who knows? Maybe we'll discover new stars who will make us forget the old ones.

In any case, one thing is certain: football continues to evolve. Legends come and go, but the game remains. And that is perhaps, ultimately, the most beautiful thing about this sport. The ability to reinvent itself, to surprise us, to thrill us with new heroes.

So, who do you think will win the Ballon d'Or this year? Mbappé? Haaland? Or an outsider who will surprise us all? One thing is for sure, on October 28, I will be in front of my TV, my eyes glued to the Théâtre du Châtelet. And you?