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Jamie Carragher rates the top four Ballon d’Or favorites

Jamie Carragher
© Ludovic Péron - licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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The former Liverpool defender gave his verdict on the four current favorites to lift the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Jamie Carragher feels Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe are the main favorites for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

According to odds from CBS Sports, Bellingham is the favorite for the Ballon d’Or at +300 (4.00) odds. Mbappe is second at +400 (5.00). 2023 runner-up Erling Haaland is third on the list at +500 (6.00) and Kane is fourth at odds of +600 (7.00).

Yet, as Haaland’s hopes of competing in Euro 2024 appear to rest on the Nations League playoffs, Carragher thinks the Manchester City striker is out of the running – for now.

“I think it would be really difficult for Haaland to win it because of the country he plays for,” Carragher said on CBS Sports.

“Unless maybe Manchester City do another treble, or he’s amazing in the Champions League again. The other players have probably got another opportunity with the tournament in the summer.”

Carragher agreed with fellow CBS pundit Thierry Henry that the Euro 2024 tournament would be vital for any Ballon d’Or candidate.

It’s for this reason he rates Bellingham, Kane, and Mbappe above Haaland. The trio’s chances will depend on how they perform with their national teams next summer.

Bellingham, in particular, could be a real candidate after his summer move to Real Madrid.

“He plays for a club who have got a great opportunity of winning the European cup,” Carragher said of Bellingham.

The 45-year-old also rates Kane, who has scored 19 goals in 15 games for Bayern Munich. The striker has even handed out seven assists for his new club.

On Mbappe, Carragher added: “Along with France, Kylian Mbappe would have a great opportunity as well, and who knows?

“He’s playing for a team that has a great opportunity to win the Champions League.”

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