2024 Ballon d’Or winner has already been ‘leaked’ ahead of the official ceremony

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner has already been leaked ahead of the official ceremony on the 28th of October.

With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now firmly out of the picture, the race for the greatest individual prize in football is more open than ever.

The likes of Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe will all believe they have a chance of winning the award but with the 23/24 season now wrapped up, two favourites have emerged.

After his crowning performances at Euro 2024, Rodri entered the frame alongside Vinicius Jr who shone for Real Madrid in the Champions League with both heavily tipped to lift the trophy next month.

The Manchester City midfielder looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after going off injured in City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

David Ornstein confirmed the news, writing: "Rodri is set to be ruled out for a significant period of time after suffering a serious knee injury in the Premier League draw with Arsenal and there are fears he may not return this season."

Rodri scored eight goals and provided nine assists in City's Premier League winning campaign, but according to MARCA, the trophy will be heading in Vini's direction.

The MARCA cover on the 23rd of September reads: “All roads lead to Gold for Vini Jr."

The report states that the Brazilian 'already knows' he's won the award.

Vini bagged 15 times in La Liga last season and scored the goal that sealed Madrid's historic 15th Champions League title after being played in by Bellingham.

Vini Jr- Getty

Men's Ballon d'Or award shortlist in full

Antonio Rudiger - Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe - Real Madrid

Lautaro Martinez - Inter

Ademola Lookman - Atalanta

Alejandro Grimaldo - Bayer Leverkusen

Dani Carvajal - Real Madrid

William Saliba - Arsenal

Lamine Yamal - Barcelona

Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

Hakan Calhanoglu - Inter

Rodri - Man City

Declan Rice - Arsenal

Harry Kane - Bayern Munich

Cole Palmer - Chelsea

Vitinha - PSG

Vinicius Jr - Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard - Arsenal

Dani Olmo - Barcelona

Florian Wirtz - Bayer Leverkusen

Mats Hummels - Roma

Erling Haaland - Man City

Nicolas Williams - Athletic Bilbao

Granit Xhaka - Bayer Leverkusen

Artem Dovbik - Roma

Toni Kroos - Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham - Real Madrid

Phil Foden - Man City

Ruben Dias - Man City

Federico Valverde - Real Madrid

Emiliano Martinez - Aston Villa