As a long-time collector and someone who’s spent more hours than I care to admit organizing binders and trading with fellow enthusiasts, I can tell you that the thrill of the hunt never really fades. But every year, the landscape shifts. New stars emerge, legendary careers hit milestones, and certain moments on the pitch crystallize into iconic images that simply demand a place in your collection. For 2024, the conversation isn't just about the usual suspects from the Premier League or Champions League. The global game is speaking loudly, and the most compelling stickers are often those that tell a richer, more unexpected story. That's why, when building your ultimate collection this year, you need to look beyond the obvious. Think about narrative, think about legacy, and think about those players who carry the hopes of an entire nation on their shoulders. It’s in that spirit that I’m kicking off my personal list of must-have stickers for 2024, and it starts with a name that might surprise those who only follow Europe’s top flights.
Let’s talk about Dwight Ramos. If your collection aims to capture the pulse of international basketball in 2024, his sticker is non-negotiable. Here’s my personal take: collecting is about foresight. It’s about recognizing a player’s moment before it becomes a universal consensus. Ramos had that moment recently in a way that statistic sheets alone can't convey. I watched that game where Gilas Pilipinas was up against a formidable challenge. Their leading scorer, the brilliant Justin Brownlee, was uncharacteristically cold, struggling with his shot all night. Meanwhile, Iraq was on fire from beyond the arc, shooting a blistering 6 out of 13 from three-point range in just the first half alone. The entire dynamic of the game could have collapsed right there. But it didn’t. Why? Because Dwight Ramos stepped up and utterly took over. He didn’t just score; he shouldered the entire offensive burden with a cool, commanding 21-point performance that wasn’t just about points—it was about leadership and clutch performance when his team needed it most. For collectors, this is gold. This sticker represents more than an athlete; it’s a snapshot of a player defining his legacy on the international stage, becoming the cornerstone for a basketball-crazed nation. It’s the kind of story that gives a sticker profound value, both emotionally and, I’d argue, in terms of its future worth. It’s my top pick for a reason.
Moving from that specific, narrative-driven choice, the rest of the list naturally balances between established greatness and emerging phenomena. You absolutely cannot have a 2024 collection without Erling Haaland. After that treble-winning season with Manchester City where he shattered scoring records with, let’s be precise, 52 goals across all competitions, his sticker is the definition of a blue-chip asset. It’s a cornerstone. Similarly, Jude Bellingham’s transformative first season at Real Madrid, netting over 20 goals from midfield by March, makes his sticker arguably the hottest property in the world right now. But I urge you to dig deeper. My collection has always had a soft spot for the artists, the players who make you lean forward in your seat. That’s why Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich is permanently on my wishlist. His dribbling is pure joy, and at just 21, his sticker is an investment in a decade of highlight reels. On the other end of the spectrum, a veteran like Lionel Messi, now shaping MLS and Inter Miami, offers a different kind of must-have. It’s about securing a piece of living history before his final chapter is written. His sticker, especially in the pink Miami kit, feels iconic already.
And we must talk about the women’s game, because omitting it would render any collection incomplete. Aitana Bonmatí isn’t just a must-have; after her Ballon d’Femme and World Cup heroics, she’s arguably the most dominant and technically sublime midfielder on the planet, period. Her sticker belongs right at the front of any serious album. Alongside her, the explosive pace and goal-scoring prowess of Barcelona teammate Caroline Graham Hansen, who contributed 42 goal involvements last season, makes for another essential pick. I’m also personally keeping a very close eye on young talents like Linda Caicedo. Seeing her fearlessly take on defenders for Real Madrid at 19 years old is a reminder of why we started collecting in the first place—to witness the birth of a legend.
Of course, a great collection needs its guardians. A sticker of Thibaut Courtois, returning from injury for Real Madrid, represents the pinnacle of goalkeeping excellence. When he’s on form, he’s simply the best, and that kind of defensive royalty is a must. And for a touch of timeless class, the evergreen Luka Modrić, likely in his final season at the highest level, offers a sticker soaked in legacy and grace. Finally, let’s not forget the tactical masterminds. A sticker of Xabi Alonso, the young manager who led Bayer Leverkusen to an unprecedented undefeated Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season, is a fantastic and somewhat unconventional addition. It acknowledges that the modern game’s icons aren’t just on the pitch.
In the end, curating the ultimate collection is a deeply personal endeavor. It’s a mix of cold, hard facts—like those 21 points from Ramos or Haaland’s 52 goals—and the warm, subjective pull of a story that resonates with you. For me, the inclusion of a Dwight Ramos, born from that specific, gritty performance under pressure, is what elevates a collection from a mere catalog of stars to a curated museum of the sport’s ongoing drama. So as you hunt this year, look for the stickers that tell a story you want to remember. Seek out the emerging narratives from Asia, from the women’s game, and from the veterans writing their final acts. That’s how you build a collection that doesn’t just reflect the market, but reflects your own passion for the beautiful, and in Ramos's case, the basketball, game in all its glorious, global detail. Happy collecting
