With the winner of the men's 2024 Ballon d'Or being announced on Monday, two of our writers make the case for their preferred candidate.

This is why Real Madrid are expected to win everything in their path. The level of individual brilliance is unmatched. They have the likely Ballon d'Or winner in Vini Jr, but they still haven't hit top gear with Mbappe and even with Jude Bellingham attacking less than last season, anyone on this team can break out and make you pay.

The Real Madrid and Brazil winger is the favourite to land the Ballon D'Or after a seismic set of performances in 2024.

Vinicius Junior was already the favourite for the Ballon d'Or - then he went and scored a superb hat-trick to underline his credentials

Vinicius Junior scored a hat trick as part of five second half goals for Real Madrid in the 5-2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Minutes after Real Madrid fans were singing for Vinicius Jr to win the Ballon d'Or, the Brazil forward insisted he wants to "stay at the club forever".

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised the 'extraordinary' Vinicius Jr on Tuesday after the Brazilian forward scored a second-half hat-trick to help them fight back from two goals down and thrash visitors Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in the Champions League.

Vinicius Jr. will win the 2024 Ballon d’Or next week, according to Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. The 2024 . Ballon d’Or. ceremony will take place on Monday 28 October a