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The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place in Paris tonight when the world’s best footballers gather at the Theatre du Chatelet for a night of awards and celebration.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham as well as Manchester City’s Rodri are being widely tipped as frontrunners for the men’s award in a year where neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have been nominated.
But there was drama before the ceremony as Real Madrid’s delegation cancelled their trip to Paris at the last minute, after “leaked” results of the Ballon d’Or showed Rodri had received the most votes.
The female prize, named the Ballon d’Or Feminin, was won by Spain and Barcelona forward Aitana Bonmati last year and she is the favourite to lift the trophy again and become a two-time winner after 26 goals and 18 assists en route to winning the Champions League, three domestic trophies and the Nations League.
Two new awards will be introduced this year, with Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Coach of the Year joining a full slate of awards on an evening where legends of the game are celebrated.
Follow all the latest updates from the Ballon d’Or ceremony with our live blog below:
Ballon d’Or LIVE
Not sure why but Laporta’s rambling after saying how well the women’s team have done ended in thanking Hansi Flick and the rest of the men’s team for making the world “love” Barcelona again.
Bit weird, that, at the very least weird timing. Anyway, on we go.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:11
Ballon d’Or LIVE
Joan Laporta accepts the award alongside captain Alexia Putellas after yet another year of winning…well, everything.
Alexia invites the rest of the team who are present up on stage to take the applause.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:09
Ballon d’Or LIVE
Two updates in a row. First the next three from the Ballon d’Or Feminin:
And now the women’s club of the year…which once again goes to Barcelona Femeni!
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:06
Real Madrid boycott Ballon d’Or with Vinicius Jr set to lose out to Rodri
Real Madrid’s players did not turn up to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris because they believe star forward Vinicius Jr will be beaten to the top prize by Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri.
According to reports, the Real Madrid delegation cancelled their trip to Monday night’s ceremony at the last minute when the “leaked results” of the prestigious award showed Rodri had received the most votes ahead of Vinicius and Jude Bellingham.
Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 by rivals Barcelona in Saturday night’s Clasico and there has since been a total blackout of posts on the club’s social media channels, with no acknowledgment of the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:04
Ballon d’Or LIVE
A top-three finish for England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:01
Ballon d’Or LIVE
Lamine is the first under-18 player to win this award and gives a quick speech saying how proud he is and thanking family and teammates – and ending with a note about the big 4-0 win over Real Madrid at the weekend!
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:00
Ballon d’Or LIVE
- Pau Cubarsi
- Arda Guler
- Kobbie Mainoo
- Savinho
- Lamine Yamal
And the winner… in surprise to nobody, Lamine Yamal!
The Barcelona winger has had a truly stunning year, playing a massive part in Spain’s win at Euro 2024.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 19:58
Ballon d’Or LIVE
First up as usual it’s the Kopa Trophy – the best U21 player, this year presented by Dutch icon Ruud Gullit.
We get a beauty of a montage dedicated to the dreadlocked one – or he was in those days of course, no longer – who was a serial champion with Feyenoord, PSV, Milan and beyond.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 19:56