Both Vinicius and Bellingham have been touted as contenders for football's top individual honour after helping Madrid win LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League.

Vinicius contributed 36 goal involvements throughout 2023-2024 (23 goals, 13 assists) with Bellingham managing 33 (24 goals, nine assists), the latter assisting the former for Los Blancos' second goal in their UEFA Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund.

It was right-back Carvajal, however, who opened the scoring in that showpiece game at Wembley Stadium, and he went on to play a key role as Spain won UEFA Euro 2024.

He started five of La Roja's seven matches in Germany and his performances have earned him the support of Joselu, who left Madrid for Qatari side Al-Gharafa last month.

The striker said of Carvajal, as quoted by AS: "I have always said it, he is the one who deserves it the most.

"He has won everything there is to win, scoring goals, being important, the MVP in finals. He would be more than a deserved winner."

Fabio Cannavaro was the last defender to win the Ballon d'Or in 2006, when he captained Italy to FIFA World Cup glory.

Fourteen of the past 15 editions of the award have been won by an attacker, with midfielder Luka Modric (in 2018) the only non-forward to win it in that time.

Lionel Messi (eight), Cristiano Ronaldo (five) and Karim Benzema (one) have all claimed it during that time.