Ballon d’Or 2024: A Star-Studded Night as Football’s Finest Gather in Paris for Prestigious Awards
The Theatre du Chatelet in Paris will host football’s most celebrated stars tonight for the 68th Ballon d’Or ceremony, honoring the year’s top talents in men’s and women’s football. This grand event has long symbolized the highest achievement in the sport, and this year promises to be a historic one with nine awards recognizing outstanding players, teams, and coaches.
The Battle for Men’s Ballon d’Or: New Faces in the Spotlight
The men’s Ballon d’Or award, football’s ultimate individual prize, sees a shift in competition this year as neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo—who together have won an astonishing 13 Ballon d’Or titles—are on the shortlist for the first time since 2003. Instead, a new generation of players is stepping up to claim the honor. Among them, Jude Bellingham, Rodri, and Vinicius Jr. are regarded as the top contenders, while Premier League stars including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Ruben Dias are also in the mix. Arsenal is strongly represented with Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Martin Odegaard, underscoring the club’s resurgence this season.
Spotlight on the Women’s Ballon d’Or: Past Winners and New Hopefuls
In the women’s category, the Ballon d’Or Feminin has quickly become a coveted award since its introduction in 2018. With former winners like Norway’s Ada Hegerberg, Megan Rapinoe, and two-time winner Alexia Putellas, tonight’s ceremony will also reveal if Spain’s Aitana Bonmati will retain her title or if another emerging star will claim the crown. Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp, Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, and U.S. phenom Trinity Rodman are just a few names among the talented nominees competing for the honor.
Unexpected Twists and High Stakes
The ceremony is already buzzing with intrigue. In an unexpected turn, Real Madrid has decided not to send representatives following rumors that Vinicius Jr. won’t be lifting the trophy. Adding to the drama, Manchester United’s young talents, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, will attend under strange circumstances: their manager, Erik ten Hag, was let go by Ineos today, just over three months after a contract extension. Despite the off-field turmoil, United’s future stars are set to compete for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21.
What to Expect: The Complete List of Prizes
The evening will celebrate nine awards that honor individual brilliance, team performance, and coaching excellence. Here’s what’s up for grabs:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or
- Women’s Ballon d’Or
- Kopa Trophy (Best Player Under 21)
- Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)
- Men’s Club of the Year
- Women’s Club of the Year
- Men’s Coach of the Year
- Women’s Coach of the Year
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Top Scorer of the Season)
With fierce competition across categories and players representing clubs from Europe’s top leagues, the ceremony promises surprises and heartfelt speeches from winners who made their mark over the last year.
When and Where to Watch
The ceremony begins at 7:00 PM UK time on October 28. Although it won’t be broadcast live in the UK, fans can watch the event live via L’Equipe’s YouTube channel and website.
Notable Nominees: Who’s Who at the Ballon d’Or 2024
Men’s Ballon d’Or Highlights:
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Vinicius Junior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
Women’s Ballon d’Or Highlights:
- Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona/Chelsea)
- Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)
- Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)
- Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)
- Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City)
Each nominee tonight represents not just individual excellence but also a commitment to the sport, promising an evening of inspiration for fans and players alike as the ceremony unfolds in Paris.
