The 2024 Ballon d'Or Ceremony: All Eyes on Paris...

• For the first time since 2003, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo is nominated for the Ballon d'Or. This marks a significant shift in the football landscape and highlights the emergence of new sports stars, prompting discussions about the changing dynamics of elite football.
• The nominees feature a substantial English contingent, with six players recognised in the men's category, including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. This emphasizes the growing strength and depth of English football on the international stage and raises expectations for their performances in future tournaments.
• Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr is positioned as the leading candidate for the men's award following a stellar season. His impressive statistics, including 24 goals and 11 assists, are contrasted with his less impactful performances for Brazil. This opens up discussions about the importance of national team success in the context of individual accolades and the criteria for evaluating players' overall contributions.

The world's elite footballers will gather in Paris on October 28, 2024, for the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony, marking its 68th edition. Hosted at the Theatre du Chatelet, the event will commence at 19:45 GMT and is recognized globally as the pinnacle of individual accolades in football, both for men and women.

Nominees and Notable Absences

This year, 30 nominees have been unveiled in both the men's and women's categories. Among the men, England is prominently represented with six players: captain Harry Kane, midfielders Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice, as well as forwards Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer. Other notable nominees include England-based players Ruben Dias, Emiliano Martinez, Martin Ødegaard, and William Saliba.

In a historic first since 2003, neither eight-time winner Lionel Messi nor five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo is nominated this year, signalling a significant shift in the football landscape.

The women's category features an exciting trio from England: Lauren James, Lucy Bronze, and Lauren Hemp, alongside other strong contenders from the Women’s Super League, including Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nusken and Mayra Ramirez, Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa and Khadija Shaw, and Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey.

Voting Process

The Ballon d'Or awards are determined by a jury of journalists representing the top 100 countries in the FIFA men's world ranking. Each juror selects ten players in descending order of merit, with points awarded based on their rankings. The player amassing the highest points total will be crowned the winner.

Frontrunners for the Men's Award

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr emerges as the frontrunner for his first Ballon d'Or after an outstanding season, where he netted 24 goals and provided 11 assists. His contributions were pivotal in Madrid's La Liga triumph and their record-extending 15th Champions League title, highlighted by a goal in the final against Borussia Dortmund. However, his underwhelming performances for Brazil, with only two goals in nine appearances this year, may impact his bid.

Vinicius’ closest rival is Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who played a crucial role in City’s Premier League success and was named Player of the Tournament in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory. Jude Bellingham, Vinicius’ teammate at Real Madrid, is also a contender after a stellar debut season, scoring 23 times in 42 matches.

Women's Award Favorites

In the women’s category, last year’s winner Aitana Bonmati is the clear favorite to retain her title. The World Cup champion enjoyed another exceptional season with Barcelona, contributing to their Liga F success and scoring in the Champions League final against Lyon. Her leadership helped Spain clinch the UEFA Nations League title earlier this year.

Bonmati’s main challenger is teammate Caroline Graham Hansen, who topped the Liga F scoring charts with 21 goals and 19 assists. Other notable contenders include Kadidiatou Diani of Lyon, Barcelona's Salma Paralluelo, and Mallory Swanson of the Chicago Red Stars, who excelled at the Olympic Games.

Additional Awards and Categories

In addition to the two main prizes, the ceremony will feature eight other awards, including the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21, the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, and awards for men's and women's coaches of the year. There will also be trophies for Club of the Year, the Gerd Müller Trophy for the top scorer, and the Socrates Award for humanitarian work.

As the football world anticipates this year's winners, the Ballon d'Or ceremony promises to celebrate the remarkable achievements and talents shaping the sport today.