The path to the 2024 Ballon d’Or for Kylian Mbappe is smoother than ever, as his main competitors face disadvantages.

Mbappe is favored to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or. He began the 2023/24 season with a dispute with PSG’s management, resulting in him being banned from training. However, by the end of the season, the French star could leave Parc des Princes with the most prestigious titles.

No worthy opponents remain. Manchester City’s defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals opens up an opportunity for Mbappe in the race for this year’s prestigious individual award. The Norwegian sharpshooter is Mbappe’s biggest rival in the Ballon d’Or race organized by France Football this year.

In a year that includes the EURO tournament, the performance at the national team level plays a crucial role in the Ballon d’Or race. Mbappe’s French national team has a great chance.

Even without winning the tournament, the 1998-born forward only needs an explosive performance in the competition in Germany this summer. What happened to Lionel Messi, who won the Ballon d’Or last year, shows how a player’s performance at the national team level can greatly influence the voting.

With Manchester City being eliminated from this season’s Champions League, Haaland has almost no chance to compete for the Ballon d’Or. Even if the Etihad-based team wins the Premier League in May, Haaland would still struggle against other contenders.

The 23-year-old striker’s form has declined, and the Norwegian national team is not participating in EURO 2024. After the Messi and Ronaldo era, Mbappe and Haaland were expected to create a new competition for the Ballon d’Or.

Last season, many believed that Haaland deserved the Ballon d’Or instead of Messi. However, everything has changed this season. In the context of Messi and Ronaldo having limited chances, Mbappe emerges as the most promising candidate.

The Champions League and EURO are the benchmarks. Mbappe’s goal-scoring form this season is not diminishing compared to the past. After 42 appearances in all club competitions, the PSG forward has scored 41 goals and provided 9 assists, averaging a goal every 83 minutes. That statistic is enough for Mbappe to compete on equal footing with any star.

Of course, individuals who win the Champions League or EURO this season have a significant advantage in the Ballon d’Or voting. Mbappe’s PSG has reached the Champions League semifinals. With Dortmund as their opponent, the Ligue 1 club has a good chance of reaching the final.

In EURO 2024, the French national team is always the top contender. Even if Mbappe doesn’t win EURO or the Champions League, or only wins one of the two, he still has a chance if he maintains an impressive individual performance.

Mbappe’s double against Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals this season illustrates that. The biggest obstacle preventing Mbappe from winning the Ballon d’Or would only occur if he fails to win EURO or the Champions League.

In that case, other contenders would have to be considered. Jude Bellingham or Vinicius could be strong candidates if Real Madrid wins the Champions League this season, and the national teams of both players leave an impression.

Brazil has a good chance of winning the Copa America this summer, while the England national team is also a strong candidate in EURO. However, Bellingham and Vinicius do not have as impressive goal-scoring and assist records as Mbappe.

Harry Kane could also be a contender if he wins the Champions League and EURO. However, the English star’s failure to secure the Bundesliga title and his lackluster performances in the decisive stages of this season’s Champions League make it difficult for him.

Overall, Vinicius, Kane, or Bellingham are all inferior to Mbappe in the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or. The opportunity for the French forward to conquer the most prestigious individual title has never been brighter.