Ballon D'Or 2024

The provided dataset contains detailed league performance statistics for the nominees of the 2024 Ballon d'Or, covering the major European football leagues. These statistics are related to the 2023-2024 season, providing a comprehensive analysis of the top nominees and their performances. The dataset includes key metrics such as goals, assists, expected goals (xG), expected assists (xAG), progression metrics, and many others, allowing a deep understanding of the impact and contribution of the players to their respective teams.

The analysis of the 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees starts with Jude Bellingham, the English midfielder from Real Madrid. He had an impressive season, contributing significantly with goals and assists, in addition to being crucial in midfield control and playmaking. His xG and xAG metrics highlight his ability both to finish and to create clear opportunities for his teammates.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu, from Inter Milan, is also one of the nominees and stood out for his role as a playmaker for the team. Known for his excellent passing accuracy and set-piece skills, Çalhanoğlu presented high numbers in assists and play progression, indicating his direct influence on creating attacking situations.

Among the defenders, Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) and Rúben Dias (Manchester City) had remarkable impacts during the season. Carvajal stood out for his offensive contributions from the flanks, while Rúben Dias was solid in defense, with metrics highlighting his interventions, clearances, and aerial duels won, which helped Manchester City maintain a cohesive defense.

One of the most surprising names among the nominees is Artem Dovbyk, who had a season that began at Dnipro, passed through Girona, and ended at Roma. He showed versatility and adaptability by scoring important goals in different leagues, which secured him a place among the best.

Phil Foden, from Manchester City, had a brilliant season, with dribbles and assists that helped his team dominate the Premier League. Foden stood out not only in traditional statistics like goals and assists but also in chance creation metrics, demonstrating his vital role in generating dangerous attacks.

Erling Haaland, the Norwegian goal scorer from Manchester City, is once again nominated after a devastating season. His goal numbers are impressive, and the xG confirms his ability to convert opportunities into real goals. Moreover, he also contributed to the team's progression, showing that his role goes beyond simply finishing plays.

Among veteran defenders, Mats Hummels, from Borussia Dortmund, showed that he is still capable of competing at a high level, using his experience to lead the defense. Meanwhile, Harry Kane, who transferred to Bayern Munich, demonstrated that his goal-scoring ability was not limited to the Premier League, adapting immediately to the Bundesliga and contributing not only with goals but also with assists, showcasing his role as a complete forward.

Toni Kroos, from Real Madrid, had a solid season, playing a key role as a playmaker. His statistics for completed passes and expected assists reflect his importance in creating and maintaining his team's possession. Ademola Lookman, from Atalanta, also had a productive season, being one of the main forwards for the Italian team and showing great dribbling and finishing skills.

Among the goalkeepers, Emiliano Martínez, from Aston Villa, had a memorable season. His saves at critical moments earned several points for his team, and his expected goals prevented statistics show his importance in keeping Aston Villa competitive.

Lautaro Martínez, from Inter, had an excellent season, scoring important goals both in Serie A and in European competitions. His attacking partnership was essential for Inter's success, while Kylian Mbappé, who started the season at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Real Madrid, continued to show why he is considered one of the best in the world, leading in goals and chances created.

Martin Ødegaard, from Arsenal, and Declan Rice, also from Arsenal, were key in the Gunners' midfield. Ødegaard stood out with his creativity and vision, while Rice had a solid defensive performance, being crucial in protecting the defense.

Rodri, from Manchester City, is another expected presence among the nominees, as he had a fantastic season as City's main defensive midfielder, helping both in building plays and recovering the ball. Antonio Rüdiger, from Real Madrid, maintained a strong season as a defender, while Vinícius Júnior showed his electrifying skill on the flanks, being one of the most difficult players to mark.

Federico Valverde, another Real Madrid player, is known for his versatility and intensity. He played an essential role in the midfield for the merengues, contributing both defensively and offensively. Vitinha, from Paris Saint-Germain, and Nico Williams, from Athletic Club, also stood out for their technical abilities and capacity to create plays in attack.

Florian Wirtz, from Bayer Leverkusen, continued to impress with his creative performances in midfield, and Granit Xhaka, from the same team, brought experience and stability to the sector. The young prodigy Lamine Yamal, from Barcelona, is also among the nominees, showing his early talent and great potential by standing out in the Catalan team.

For the first time since 2003, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were not nominated for the Ballon d'Or, marking the end of an era and highlighting the new generation of talents that have been dominating the world stage. The absence of these two football legends underscores a generational shift, with new protagonists taking the spotlight.

The winner of the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or will be determined by a panel of journalists representing the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings, and the award ceremony will take place on October 28, 2024. This edition promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years, given the quality and diversity of the nominees. Each of the players made a significant contribution to their clubs and national teams, and the detailed statistics provide a clear view of their performance and impact throughout the season.