It is this Monday, October 28, 2024 that the name of the winner of the Ballon d'Or will be known. Where and when to follow the ceremony, which always represents a big highlight of the football year?
One of the highlights of the football year is held this Monday October 28, 2024, with the Ballon d'Or ceremony. What you need to know.
Real Madrid boycotts the ceremony…
For many, Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior was the likely successor to Lionel Messi, winner in 2023. But the exit of his club, Real Madrid, raises serious doubts: the Spanish club announced Monday afternoon that it will boycott the ceremony, convinced that their player will not be the big winner.
“If the award criteria do not designate Vinicius as the winner, these same criteria should designate Carvajal as the winner. As this was not the case, it is obvious that the UEFA Ballon d'Or does not respect the Real Madrid. And Real Madrid is not where it is not respected,” the club responded bluntly to AFP.
However, players and clubs are not supposed to know in advance who wins the Golden Ball.
Rodri, Bellingham, Yamal…
His name has often filtered, notably after his country's victory at Euro 2024 : Rodrimidfielder for La Roja and Manchester City, has also been exceptional this past year. Centerpiece of Guardiola's squad, the Spanish metronome has won the Premier League but was eliminated in the semi-final of the Champions League… by Real Madrid. The 28-year-old has been injured for over a month, victim of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee.
The Englishman Jude Bellingham and the Spaniard Lamine Yamalalso in sight during this year 2024, also saw their name mentioned among the contenders for the title. The first, finalist of the Euro in addition to having won the trophies also won by Vinicius, quickly became an essential element of the Madrid collective since his arrival, in the summer of 2023. The second, barely 17 years oldshone both with Barça and with Spain. Elected best young player of La Liga last season, he obtained the same reward at Euro 2024, a competition in which the number 19 finished best passer. He was also credited with best goal of the tournamentregistered against France.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo absent
This 68th Ballon d'Or ceremony is marked by two major absences in the Ballon d'Or list: those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Winners, between them, of 13 of the last 15 awards, the 37 and 39 year old legends seem to have definitively passed the torch. The last time the Argentinian and the Portuguese were not among the nominees for the Grail was… in 2003.
Other rewards
Note that other trophies will be awarded on the occasion of this major ceremony which will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet, in Paris. Here they are:
- Men's Golden Ball
- Women's Ballon d'Or
- Kopa Trophy (best young person under 21)
- Yachine Trophy (best goalkeeper)
- Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer of the season)
- Best men's club
- Best women's club
- Best coach of a men's team
- Best coach of a women's team
Where and when to follow the discount?
It is the L’Equipe channel who will broadcast the evening, from 7:15 p.m.this Monday evening.
France
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