Neymar named his top four players for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed

Neymar has named the quartet of players he feels will be in contention for this year's Ballon d'Or.

The 32-year-old, who plays his club football for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, will likely be watching on when the ceremony takes place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on October 28.

This year's Ballon d'Or award is due to be keenly contested with several players vying for the 2024 title.

Since 2007, when Kaka won the award, only Luka Modric and Karim Benzema have won the Ballon d'Or aside from Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighting their dominance over the past 15 years.

But neither man features in Neymar's top four as the Brazilian selected an eventual winner and a pair he feels will come joint-second.

Neymar has tipped Real Madrid forward and fellow Brazilian Vinicius Junior to win this year's Ballon d'Or.

“He had a great season, he certainly played a lot. I certainly will be rooting for him to win the Ballon d’Or, I don’t think there’s anyone else but him to win it," he said in a recent interview with Band Sports.

“We hope that it comes back to Brazil soon and that it’s now with Vini, a guy who deserves it because he’s a hard worker and has suffered a lot throughout his life, but he’s surpassed all expectations and [coped with] all the criticism.

“Today, he has become a great idol and a great hero for us, so I am very happy, very happy that he’s carrying this Brazilian flag around the world.”

Image credit: Getty

In second, the attacker cannot separate between Brazil star Rodrygo and England midfielder Jude Bellingham, also with the Spanish champions.

And Neymar believes French superstar Kylian Mbappe is also in the mix for the award.

As per Bola VIP back in June, Neymar said: "Vini Júnior, first; Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham are tied, and obviously Mbappé enters the fight between those three."

Lionel Messi, of course, won the 2023 Ballon d'Or as he claimed the award for a record eighth time, three clear of nearest rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

It followed Messi captaining Argentina to 2022 World Cup glory as the Inter Miami man finally won the biggest prize in international football with his country.

Messi and Ronaldo have 13 Ballon d'Ors between them, but with both legends of the game closer to the end of their playing days than the start, a new generation of talent is coming through.