Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid team-mate, Vinicius Junior, 24, has been tipped for the Ballon d'Or for some time after helping his side win La Liga and yet another Champions League.

He ended the season as Real Madrid's top scorer with 24 goals and added 11 assists.

A Copa America victory with Brazil would probably have sealed the deal - but they went out in the quarter-finals on penalties to Uruguay, a game Vinicius missed because of suspension after receiving two yellow cards in the group stage.

The last Brazilian to win the Ballon d'Or was Kaka in 2007, with only Neymar finishing in the top three since then.

Games played: 49. Goals scored: 26. Assists: 11. Trophies: La Liga, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham, 21, enjoyed a stellar first season at Real Madrid following last summer's move from Borussia Dortmund.

He ended the campaign with 23 goals - including late winners in both La Liga matches with Barcelona - and 13 assists for his club as they won the Spanish league and Champions League.

His most notable moment at Euro 2024 was the injury-time overhead kick which sent England's last-16 tie with Slovakia to extra time.

Had he inspired England to victory over Spain in the final, he may well have become favourite to be England's first Ballon d'Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001.

Games played: 54. Goals scored: 27. Assists: 16.Trophies: La Liga, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup.

Messi, 37, is the most successful player in Ballon d'Or history, winning eight times - including last year, courtesy of leading Argentina to World Cup glory.

He is still ranked among the favourites with the bookmakers, but it would be a surprise if he won.

He only scored one goal in Argentina's Copa America triumph this summer, against Canada in the semi-finals, went off injured in the final and was generally below his best.

Messi did not win any trophies with Inter Miami in the timeframe.

Games played: 39. Goals scored: 28. Assists: 17.Trophies: Copa America.

With the nominees of the Ballon d'Or being announced on the 4 September - who do you think deserves to win the annual football award?

Could last year's winner Lionel Messi claim a record-extending ninth award?

Will England's loss against Spain cost Jude Bellingham? Could teen sensation Lamine Yamal make a late claim?

Get involved via text, WhatsApp or X using the contact details above and let us know your thoughts.

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

Players hoping to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or have now done all they can.

Nominees for the world's best player award will be announced on 4 September - with the 2023-24 seasons and this summer's major tournaments the factors considered.

With Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham failing to win their continental tournaments with Brazil and England respectively, it has arguably opened the door for somebody else.

BBC Sport looks at the six players with the shortest bookmakers' odds to win the award on 28 October in Paris.

Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert

Image source, Getty Images

Argentina won the Copa America, but lost the respect of many with the manner of their celebration.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez faces disciplinary proceedings at Chelsea after posting a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included alleged "racist and discriminatory language".

Fifa is also investigating the video, in which several members of the Argentina squad - celebrating their 1-0 win over Colombia in the final - take part in a song originally sung by Argentina fans questioning the heritage of France's black and mixed-race players.

The global repercussions of that song have sparked a reaction from the Argentine government.

Javier Milei's right-wing administration has no natural sympathy for anything that might be considered 'woke'.

But Julio Garro, the under-secretary for sports, suggested that team captain Lionel Messi and local FA president Claudio Tapia should issue an apology for the song that some were singing on the bus on Sunday night. "It's left us looking bad," he said.

Garro was sacked, external on Wednesday for his comments, while others have rejected the need for an apology.

Read Tim Vickery's full feature here.

Tottenham Hotspur

Image source, Getty Images

Talking about Tottenham, Spurs secured a thumping 5-1 pre-season win at Scottish Premiership side Hearts, with goals from Brennan Johnson, Will Lankshear, Mikey Moore, Djed Spence and Ashley Phillips.

What did you learn from the game, Spurs fans?

• Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external
• Check all the latest Tottenham updates here.

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Ange Postecoglou is not the only Premier League manager - or former manager - being linked with the England job. Check out the latest rumours in today's BBC Sport gossip column:

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is not interested in taking the England job. (Sky Germany), external

The Football Association are willing to wait for Pep Guardiola to leave Manchester City before appointing him as Gareth Southgate's permanent successor as England boss. (Independent), external

• Find all the latest Liverpool news here or for more Manchester City updates click here.
• Click here to read the full edition of today's BBC Sport gossip column.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he has "no idea" about the reports linking, external him with the England job.

Postecoglou, 58, insisted he is only focused on being the Spurs boss following Gareth Southgate's resignation on Tuesday.

Southgate, who was appointed in 2016 and had five months left on his deal with England, stood down less than 48 hours after Spain beat the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final.

"I've got no idea, I've been preparing for a game," Postecoglou told BBC Scotland when asked about the links after his side's 5-1 pre-season victory over Hearts.

"I'm the Tottenham manager. That's where I stand."

Click here for the full story.

Before we move on, let's follow up on some of those stories in today's national newspapers, starting with reports linking Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou with the vacant England manager's post...

Image source, Reuters

Cavan Sullivan told ESPN "the collaboration between the Union and the City Group - that did it for me. I always watch Man City. They're like every kid's dream team."

If Sullivan does move to Manchester City, the move can only happen after he turns 18, in 2027.

"For [Philadelphia and Man City] to come together and agree on something - I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan," he added.

Before Sullivan's debut, Union manager Jim Curtin told the MLS website, external: "The sky's the limit. He's a generational talent, one who can really change the game by himself."

What do you think about someone so young being opened up to the world of professional sport? Thumbs up if you think it is a good idea (if they are good enough they are old enough), thumbs down if you don't (you can't win anything with kids).

We would love to hear what you were doing at 14 - from possibly being in detention or maybe a special sporting achievement?

Get involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Image source, Getty Images

Fourteen-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan has become the youngest Major Soccer League player in history.

Sullivan, who is expected to move to Manchester City when he is 18, was an 85th-minute substitute in the 5-1 win over New England Revolution at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania.

At 14 years and 293 days, he broke the record set by Freddy Adu, who was 14 years and 306 days when he played for DC United in 2004.

Sullivan also became the youngest North American player in the top flight of a team sport. He signed for Philadelphia in May, in the biggest homegrown player deal in MLS history.

From a sad farewell to a legendary player to the emergence of a bright new talent.

They certainly start them young in Major League Soccer...

Image source, The Bolton News

Finally, The Bolton News, external has a front page report on Wednesday's funeral of legendary Bolton Wanderers full-back Tommy Banks, who died in June aged 94 and was believed to have been England's oldest living former international.

Banks, who won six caps, made his international debut for the Three Lions against the Soviet Union in Moscow in May 1958.

He was also part of Walter Winterbottom's squad for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

The no-nonsense defender played 255 times for Wanderers in his club career and was part of the side that beat Manchester United 2-0 in the 1958 FA Cup final.

Image source, Rex Features

The Times

The Times' main sport page also features a story on potential trouble ahead for Chelsea.

Martyn Ziegler reports that the Premier League will review the takeover of Chelsea Women by the club's parent company to see if it complies with the rules on associated party deals and fair market value.

The story cites "club insiders" who say the move was to "reposition the women's team as separate to the men's and not an attempt to exploit a loophole in the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules".

Image source, The Times

The Daily Express

The Express reports on potential "trouble" for new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as the club begins disciplinary proceedings against midfielder Enzo Fernandez after he posted a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included an alleged "racist and discriminatory" chant.

More on that story to follow.

Image source, Daily Express

The Daily Telegraph

The Telegraph has a line on the England manager search, saying that Tottenham's Australian manager Ange Postecoglou is expected to be on the list of candidates and has been on the Football Association's radar for years.

The former Celtic manager has moved to distance himself from those reports, more on that to follow.

Image source, Daily Telegraph

The Daily Star

The Star leads on Manchester United's impending signing of £52m Lille defender Leny Yoro, 18, reporting that the Old Trafford outfit has trumped Liverpool after the Reds assumed the France centre-back's preference was to join Real Madrid.

Image source, Daily Star

We will return to those transfer gossip stories after a round-up of today's national newspapers...

Image source, Getty Images

There are also plenty more transfer stories in today's BBC Sport gossip column, including an impending new arrival at Villa Park:

Everton's 22-year-old Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana is set to complete his move to Aston Villa by this weekend. (Sky Sports), external

Villa still owe Bayer Leverkusen over half the money they paid for 25-year-old French winger Moussa Diaby, who is close to joining Al Ittihad. (Football Insider), external

Birmingham City are interested in Aston Villa's 21-year-old English forward Louie Barry. (Football Insider), external

• Find all the latest Aston Villa updates here or for move Everton stories click here.
• Click here to read the full edition of today's BBC Sport gossip column.