The 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees have been officially announced, with this year's crop of players representing a sea change on the global stage.
For the first time over two decades, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are absent from the annual best-of selection, having dominated the award for generations.
With Luka Modric and Karim Benzema also out of the picture, it means there will be a guaranteed new name added to the honour list for the trophy.
But just who are the frontrunners and the favourites to get their hands on the coveted prize when the ceremony goes down on Monday, October 28?
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, Brazil)
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One of the hotly tipped contenders who might fancy walking away from Paris with the biggest prize is the Real Madrid star, who has been highlighted for his continental prowess.
Vinicius Junior was named the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season after another European triumph during the team's 2023/24 campaign, netting in their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the final.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
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Making the move from Borussia Dortmund to La Liga, the midfielder took the Spanish capital by storm and was duly rewarded with the competition's player of the season award.
Bellingham could not quite live up to the billing as part of England's Euro 2024 team, but under Gareth Southgate, his moments of brilliance helped fire them to the final in Berlin.
Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
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Passed over in favour of team-mate Phil Foden when it came to the end-of-season awards, the Spanish midfielder nevertheless has the edge on his team-mate after Euro 2024.
An integral part of Luis de la Fuente's side, Rodri tasted glory for club and country with the Premier League and the European Championship last season, and was key to both.
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
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Now at the start of his new life in Madrid, the France captain had a final gift for his old club before he left, steering them to another Ligue 1 success story.
He finished the campaign as the competition's Player of the Season and then - despite suffering a nasty facial injury - led Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus to the Euro 2024 semi-final.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
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A name that few in the know seemed to have heard of before last season, a breakout campaign for the Spanish youngster was one of the brightest lights at Barcelona.
He was La Liga's U23 Player of the Season, then earned the Young Player of the Tournament Award as he won Euro 2024, scoring a spectacular semi-final goal versus France.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
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The England captain just cannot seem to get a break these days, even after a domestic season that saw him become a sensation in the Bundesliga.
But his trophy curse continued, as Bayern Munich failed to back up his goals and faltered on all fronts, while he could not summon the difference to defeat Spain at Euro 2024 too.
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