Mon Oct 28 20:58:25 UTC 2024: ## Ballon d’Or Buzz: Guardiola, Scaloni, and Neymar Back Their Players

The 2024 Ballon d’Or race is heating up, with high-profile managers and players throwing their support behind their favorites.

**Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared Rodri the “best” and worthy of the prestigious award.** Guardiola’s bold statement comes after Rodri’s stellar season with City. Meanwhile, Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni is backing **Lionel Messi’s teammate, Rodrigo Martinez**, for the award, praising his “deserved” performance.

Neymar, meanwhile, has thrown his support behind his “idol,” **Vinicius Junior**, who he believes has “surpassed all expectations.” Vinicius Jr.’s recent hat-trick for Real Madrid has further fuelled speculation of his potential win.

Adding to the excitement, **Aitana Bonmati’s stunning goal** leveled the score in Spain’s women’s football final against Japan, earning her the first Ballon d’Or Feminin. **Alcaraz presented Bellingham with the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award** at the ceremony.

With the Ballon d’Or ceremony fast approaching, the battle for football’s most coveted individual award is set to be fierce.

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