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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
Emma Hayes has won the first Women’s Johan Cruyff coach award!
“I’m very honoured to be awarded the first Ballon d’Or for a coach of the women’s game. I want to say a big congratulations to the nominees, I respect all the coaches hugely and understand how challenging our work is.
“Thank you for a magical summer in France, a beautiful country and I’m very honoured!”
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 21:09
Ballon d’Or LIVE
Stoichkov on his former boss Johan Cruyff: “It’s very important to have a coach, a friend and a gentleman [like Cruyff]. He did a lot for me, he was patient with me and I wouldn’t know as much if not for him.”
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 21:07
Ballon d’Or LIVE
The manager awards are being renamed as the Johan Cruyff Trophies, for the best men’s and women’s coaches.
Hristo Stoichkov is magnificently on stage to deliver the trophy, alongside Jordi Cruyff.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 21:02
Ballon d’Or LIVE
Men’s ranking, next up:
7th: Lautaro Martinez, Inter
6th: Kylian Mbappe, PSG/Real Madrid
5th: Erling Haaland, Man City
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:58
Ballon d’Or LIVE
The Socrates Award winner is Jennifer Hermoso.
The Spain player speaks about her work towards equality on and off the pitch and to provide a future for female players.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:56
Ballon d’Or LIVE
7th: Marie-Antoinette Katoto, PSG
6th: Mallory Swanson, Chicago Red Stars
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:54
Ballon d’Or LIVE
Gigi Donnarumma, Andriy Lunin, Mike Maignan, Emi Martinez and Unai Simon are the contenders.
Emiliano Martinez! A few boos for the Argentina goalkeeper as he walks up the steps, which is par for the course if you irritate as many people as he does.
It’s back-to-back wins of this award for the Aston Villa No.1.
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:47
Ballon d’Or LIVE
We’re onto the Yashin Trophy now – also called the Yachine Trophy in some places – which is of course the top goalkeeper award.
Slightly bizarrely, it’s striker Lautaro Martinez who appears to be delivering it – but perhaps the reason for that is a compatriot being about to win?
Karl Matchett28 October 2024 20:43
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