The nominees for the Men’s Club of the Year at the 2024 Ballon d’Or award have been disclosed by France Football.
France Football revealed the nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or “Best Men’s Club of the Year” award on September 4, 2024.
The shortlisted clubs are Borussia Dortmund, Girona, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.
The selection criteria reportedly focused on teams that were impressive both domestically and in European competitions during the 2023/24 campaign.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund were nominated due to their impressive performances in both domestic and European competitions.
The Black and Yellows made it all the way to the final of the UEFA Champions League in the 2023/24 season before losing 2-0 to Real Madrid.
They finished 5th in the Bundesliga last season, and that was enough to earn them UEFA Champions League football this season, as Germany was handed an extra slot for the competition due to the performance of German clubs in European competitions.
Girona
Girona, they are one of two Spanish sides to be nominated for the award by France Football, with the Blanquivermells delivering one of their best seasons in history last campaign.
Michel’s side defeated several top teams during the 2023/24 La Liga season finishing third on the log, just behind Barcelona and champions Real Madrid.
Manchester City
Manchester City also had a stellar season last term, as they won the Premier League for a record-setting 4th consecutive time.
They also made it to the FA Cup final, albeit losing to neighbors Manchester United 2-1.
Additionally, the Cityzens were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League in the quarter-finals, after losing via penalties to Real Madrid following a 4-4 draw in normal and extra time over two legs.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen were nominated following their remarkable showing in the German Bundesliga and Europe last season.
The BayArena side went the entire domestic campaign unbeaten, with Xabi Alonso’s side clinching the Bundesliga title alongside the DFB-POKAL.
Bayer Leverkusen were also close to securing the treble in the 2023/24 season, but they lost 3-0 to Atalanta in the final of the UEFA Europa League.
Real Madrid
The current holders of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid, are one of the five nominees, and they were shortlisted following their stellar outing in the 2023/24 season.
Los Blancos won the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga last term, while they claimed the 2024 UEFA Super Cup title before the start of the new season.
Real Madrid are one of the favorites for the award, having lost only twice in all competitions last season.
Previous Winners Of The Men’s Club Of The Year Award
The award was first given out in 2021, and English clubs have been the recipients of the Men’s Club of the Year prize in all three previous editions, with 2021 Champions League victors Chelsea being its first winner.
In 2022 and 2023, Manchester City won the award, much to the delight of supporters of the club.
The Cityzens last claimed the prestigious honor after becoming only the second English side (Manchester United-1999 being the other) to win the treble.
When And Where Will The 2024 Ballon d’Or Award Ceremony Be Held?
The 2024 Ballon d’Or Award ceremony will take place on October 28, 2024, and it will be done at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
