The prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or awards are set to take place tonight, October 28, 2024, in Paris, where the football world will crown the best male and female players. With neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo on the shortlist for the first time since 2003, the ceremony marks the beginning of a new era, and a first-time winner is guaranteed in the men’s category. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr is the favorite, while other top contenders include Manchester City’s Rodri and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Ballon d’Or, including the ceremony start time, how to watch, the nominees, and the odds.
When Is the 2024 Ballon d’Or Ceremony?
The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held tonight, Monday, October 28, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The event is scheduled to begin at 7:45 PM GMT.
From where will you be watching?
Tell us in the comments #ballondor pic.twitter.com/FORNjISY69
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 27, 2024
How to Watch the 2024 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Fans can tune into the ceremony via a live stream on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel and website, making it accessible for global viewers who want to watch the announcement of football’s most coveted individual award. Additionally, there will be live coverage and updates available on Standard Sport’s live blog.
Ballon d’Or 2024: The Nominees
The men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist includes 30 of the world’s top footballers, with players from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and other top leagues around the world.
Notable Ballon d’Or 2024 nominees:
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) – The Brazilian winger is the favorite after his role in helping Real Madrid win the Champions League, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup. Vinicius’ electric performances have made him one of the most exciting players in world football.
- Rodri (Manchester City) – Key to Manchester City’s treble-winning season and Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, Rodri is the most likely player to win if Vinicius doesn’t take the crown. His pivotal role in City’s midfield has earned him plaudits across the football world.
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – After a stellar start to his Real Madrid career and an impressive campaign with Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham has quickly risen to become one of the top players in Europe. His versatility and leadership at such a young age make him a strong contender.
- Kylian Mbappe (PSG/Real Madrid) – The French forward, consistently one of the best players in the world, continues to dazzle with his pace and goal-scoring prowess. Despite PSG’s challenges, Mbappe’s individual brilliance makes him a standout candidate.
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – With his record-breaking goal-scoring spree in the Premier League, Haaland remains one of the most feared strikers in world football. His performances for Manchester City in their historic treble campaign make him a contender.
They’re all here! But tonight, one name will shine even more
Who should it be? #ballondor pic.twitter.com/EBCiRVhYy4
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Other notable players on the list include Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden, all of whom have played key roles in their respective teams this season.
Ballon d’Or 2024 Winner Odds
Vinicius Junior currently leads the race with odds of 1/8, making him the clear favorite. His performances in crucial matches for Real Madrid, particularly in the Champions League, have put him in pole position to win his first Ballon d’Or.
Rodri, at 9/2, is the second favorite, having been integral to Manchester City’s Premier League and Champions League victories. His contributions for Spain at Euro 2024 further strengthen his case as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Other notable odds:
- Jude Bellingham: 16/1
- Dani Carvajal: 28/1
- Lamine Yamal: 40/1
- Kylian Mbappe: 40/1
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2024: Can Aitana Bonmati Win Again?
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati is the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the second consecutive year. The Barcelona midfielder had an incredible year, helping her club win the Women’s Champions League and leading Spain to their first-ever Women’s World Cup title.
Bonmati faces competition from fellow Spaniard Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, and American stars Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Lindsey Horan, who helped lead the United States to Olympic gold.
Among the English nominees, Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, and Lauren Hemp have been recognized for their stellar performances for both club and country.
Other Awards at the 2024 Ballon d’Or
In addition to the main Ballon d’Or trophies for men and women, several other prestigious awards will be handed out during the ceremony:
- Kopa Trophy: Awarded to the best men’s under-21 player, with Lamine Yamal the frontrunner. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are also nominated, though Yamal is widely expected to take home the prize after his breakout season with Barcelona.
- Yashin Trophy: This award honors the best goalkeeper, with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez being the only Premier League representative on the shortlist. Martinez, who was instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup win, is a strong candidate for the award.
- Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year: This award recognizes the best-performing clubs in both men’s and women’s football. On the men’s side, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester City, Girona, and Borussia Dortmund are nominated. For the women’s award, it’s a battle between Barcelona, Chelsea, NJ/NY Gotham, PSG, and Lyon.
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and Xabi Alonso are the top candidates, with Guardiola leading the way after guiding Manchester City to an unprecedented treble.
- Women’s Coach of the Year: This highly competitive category includes Jonatan Giraldez, Sarina Wiegman, Emma Hayes, and Sonia Bompastor. Wiegman, who led England to Euro 2022 glory and a World Cup final, is a strong favorite.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or promises to be an unforgettable night, with the football world witnessing a first-time winner in the men’s category. Vinicius Junior, Rodri, and Jude Bellingham are all in contention, but Vinicius appears to be the favorite to claim the top prize. On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati is likely to retain her crown, continuing her dominance on the global stage.
With a host of individual and team awards to be handed out, the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be a celebration of football’s finest talents. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the results as a new generation of stars steps into the spotlight.
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