Abhinav Burju, sophomore neuroscience and business double-major
Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid
“I think he’s one of those few gems that you only see once every few generations. … Winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, I think the league too, and then on top of that, a Euro final.”
Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Turkey and Inter Milan
“He was one of those players where you just know it’s natural. The game is very natural to him, right? Yeah, but I don’t think he’s got a real shot of winning the Ballon d’Or.”
Danny Carvajal, Spain and Real Madrid
“I think he’s criminally underrated as a player; he’s just so good. … He won the Champions League and he won the league, but he also won the Euros with Spain.”
Rúben Dias, Portugal and Manchester City
“It’s very hard not to be biased about him, because I’m a United fan. But he’s a good player, but defenders tend not to win Ballon d’Ors, that’s kind of the issue.”
Artem Dovbyk, Ukraine, Girona and Roma
“Every year there’s that one player who does really amazing with a small team, right? … If that support structure around him has kind of been pulled apart, how is he going to perform now?”
Who do you think should win the award?
“See, I know it won’t be Danny Carvajal … if I was a Ballon d’Or voter, I would say either Bellingham or Vinicius.”
Joaquin Ordonez, junior business analytics and finance double-major
Phil Foden, England and Manchester City
“He’s shown that he’s very dynamic, and … that he’s really good on the wing to pass to score goals. So I think overall, he’s been a great player for Man City.”
Alejandro Grimaldo, Spain and Bayern Leverkusen
“They [Leverkusen] were unbeaten for … every game, except for the final of the Europa League. … He’s shown that he can play as a left back, but he can go up the wing, and he can defend.”
Erling Haaland, Norway and Manchester City
“He’s what a striker should be: He’s always there. He waits for some times he can score tap ins, sometimes he can score goals.”
Matts Hummels, Germany and Borussia Dortmund
“They [Dortmund] went all the way through the Champions League. … He’s a good captain and he commands a strong defense.”
Harry Kane, England and Bayern Munich
“He’s shown to be like the best striker in the Bundesliga. … He’s not young, but he has years to play. … So I think he’s a great transfer for Bayern.”
Who do you think should win the award?
“I personally would vote for Bellingham, however, I think Vinicius Jr. is gonna win the Ballon.”
Tanner Jack, junior business analytics major
Toni Kroos, Germany and Real Madrid
“He’s a legend. I don’t know if he’s necessarily going to win it. He had good team success national and club level, but I don’t know if he’s necessarily Ballon d’Or, worthy.”
Ademola Lookman, Nigeria and Atalanta
I actually watched the game when they [Atalanta] beat Leverkusen. I thought that was a crazy, impressive performance. I think that definitely put him in the minds of a lot of people. … But, you know, I don’t know if he’s necessarily a Ballon d’Or contender.
Emiliano Martinez, Argentina and Aston Villa
“I think he’s kind of funny. A lot of people like to hate on him. He has a good keeper in the [Premier League], I don’t know, it’s unlikely that a keeper is going to win it ever.”
Lautaro Martinez, Argentina and Inter Milan
“I think he’s the most underrated. He had so many goals in Serie A. I think obviously he did really well in the Copa America as well. … I think he’s definitely deserving of winning.”
Who do you think should win the award?
“I think Rodri is going to win.”
Misael Rodriguez, senior engineering science major
Martin Odegaard, Norway and Arsenal
“Had a great season, but I think the other contenders are just, they achieved more with their clubs and with their nations.”
Dani Olmo, Spain and Red Bull Leipzig
“I mean, for Spain in the Euros, he was insane. So he’s probably a little bit above Odegaard for me.”
Cole Palmer, England and Chelsea
“He made his way into the starting 11 in Chelsea knowing that they have like 50 guys on the roster. So that says a lot. … [He] individually elevated their team.”
Declan Rice, England and Arsenal
“I’m not the biggest fan of Declan Rice, but performances like his don’t lie. Him, Odegaard and Saka in the midfield are just insane. With England, they made it all the way to the final.”
Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (Rodri), Spain and Manchester City
“One of my favorite players to watch. Always such a key player for both club and country. … I think he deserves it the most [of the five players].”
Who do you think should win the award?
“I think for me the order is Carvajal, Jude Bellingham and then Rodri just because they did more for their country.”
Brandon Ortiz, senior computer science major
Antonio Rudiger, Germany and Real Madrid
“I think Rudiger is a class defender. … He’s got pace on him. He gets the job done, but I don’t think that he really piques the interest when it comes to playing out the back.”
Bukayo Saka, England and Arsenal
“Artist. England’s best player. Arsenal’s best player. I think he’s completely underrated. His production is insane. Constantly crazy left foot and on the dribble, amazing.”
William Saliba, France and Arsenal
“If you asked me if I was to take Rudiger or Saliba, I take Saliba. I think he’s really smart defender, very good on the ball and what Arsenal has done with him has been insane.”
Federico Valverde, Uruguay and Real Madrid
“One of the most versatile players this generation. I’ve seen them play him on the wing in the middle. He’s insane box the box, he’s great defensively. Attacking is also just mind blowing.”
Vinicius Jr., Brazil and Real Madrid
“Pacey, … he’s good on the dribble. He’s a spectacular player. … I think he has a lot more to offer than he gives sometimes, but still a great player. He’s scoring goals and he’s making plays.”
Who do you think should win the award?
“Horrifyingly tough. … I’d probably go Haaland. The goals say it all.”
Clayton Lansford, sophomore engineering science major
Vítor Machado Ferreira (Vitinha), Portugal and PSG
“I think he’s not very good, and there’s a lot better midfielders out there.”
Nico Williams, Spain and Athletic Club
“I think he was good for a country, but he’s a bit overrated for club. Out of all the players, all the attackers, … he’s not one of the best.”
Florian Wirtz, Germany and Bayern Leverkusen
“He’s not good enough for the Ballon D’or, but he’s good, he’ll be good eventually. Same with Nico Williams, because they’re young, but they’re not like Ballon d’Or winning this year.”
Granit Xhaka, Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen
“He’s way too old. He hasn’t done enough this year, not even close to enough.”
Lamine Yamal, Spain and Barcelona
“He’s better than Nico, but he’s just a better version of Nico Williams, but he’s also just too young and hasn’t done enough to win it.”
Who do you think should win the award?
“Probably Haaland or Rodri.”
