This Monday, October 28, the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris will be the epicenter of world Football with the awarding of the Ballon d'Or 2024, the highest individual award that rewards the best footballers of the season. Organized by the prestigious France Football magazine, the event seeks to crown the most outstanding talents, recognizing the individual performance of players between August 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024, a change from the traditional evaluation by calendar year . Among the 30 nominees, Argentines Lautaro Martínez and Emiliano Martínez stand out, who compete alongside other world stars for the coveted trophy.
Recognition of the best of the season
This year's edition introduces new features, including two awards that recognize the performance of coaches in men's and women's categories, reaffirming the relevance of those who lead teams to success. Lionel Scaloni, coach of the Argentine national team, competes in the men's shortlist, while in the women's sector, names such as Sarina Wiegman (England) and Sonia Bompastor (Lyon and Chelsea) stand out for their achievements.
As for the Ballon d'Or, the list of candidates includes emerging figures and elite veterans who shone during the season. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Kylian Mbappé (PSG and Real Madrid) appear as favorites, but the competition is tight with names such as the Uruguayan Fede Valverde and the German Antonio Rüdiger, both from Real Madrid.
Argentines on the list: the new hope
Lautaro Martínez and Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez are the Albiceleste representatives in this edition. Lautaro, Inter Milan forward, arrives after an outstanding season in Europe and key performances in the Argentine national team, while “Dibu” Martínez, Aston Villa goalkeeper, aspires to the Yashin Trophy, which rewards the best goalkeeper of the year. In addition, Alejandro Garnacho, a promising young Manchester United player, appears as a candidate for the Kopa Trophy, reserved for the best under-21 footballer.
Argentina is not only betting on the playing field: Lionel Scaloni, who led the team on its way to the title in Qatar 2022, seeks to establish himself as the best men's coach of the year. He will face tough competition from Josep Guardiola, who led Manchester City to a historic treble last season, and Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid, who remains a reference in European football.
Where to watch the ceremony live
The ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m. (Argentine time) and will be broadcast live through the TNT Sports cable signal. For those who prefer to watch the delivery from streaming platforms, it will be available on Directv GO, Telecentro Play and Flow. This extensive coverage allows football fans to enjoy the event from anywhere.
The nominees for the 2024 men's Ballon d'Or
Among the 30 selected, reference names include:
Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) – Inter Milan
Kylian Mbappé (France) – PSG and Real Madrid CF
Erling Haaland (Norway) – Manchester City
Bukayo Saka (England) – Arsenal FC
Rodri Hernández (Spain) – Manchester City
Jude Bellingham (Inglaterra) – Real Madrid CF
Emiliano Martínez (Argentina) – Aston Villa
Other awards and distinctions
In addition to the men's Ballon d'Or, France Football will award the women's Ballon d'Or, with notable names such as Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, both from Barcelona. The Club of the Year category will recognize the team that has distinguished itself for its performance, with teams such as Manchester City and Real Madrid in the men's sector and Barcelona in the women's sector.
