One of the most anticipated evenings on the football planet will be held this Monday evening in the French capital. The best footballer of the season and the best player in the world will be chosen, among other rewards, including two new ones.
Where and when will the ceremony take place?
The award ceremony for the 68th Ballon d’or 2024 will begin this Monday, October 28 at 8:45 p.m. The various stars and protagonists are expected from 7:15 p.m. at the Théâtre du Châtelet. The L’Équipe channel will broadcast the evening. For the first time, no actor will know the results in advance, with the aim of adding an element of emotion and naturalness to the evening.
What rewards will be distributed?
The two most anticipated trophies of the evening will be the men’s and women’s Golden Balls. Another attraction of the evening, the presentation of the Kopa trophy, which crowns the best young person under 21 years old. The most successful goalkeeper will be crowned with the Yachine trophy, while the top scorer of the season – a priori Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, each author of 52 goals during the 2023-2024 financial year – will inherit the Gerd Müller trophy .
There are also collective awards since the best men’s club and the best women’s team of the season will also be honored. Finally, news alert, the coach of the season of a men’s team and that of a women’s team will be designated for the first time in history.
Who are the favorites for the men’s and women’s Ballon d’or?
On the men’s side, three names stand out and among them, none has already inherited the coveted award. If voters choose to crown Real Madrid’s prolific season, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius will be first in line to collect the laurels. The Englishman carried his club at arm’s length at the start of the exercise. The former Borussia Dortmund player also played in a Euro 2024 final, a tournament which he embellished with moments of class, if not regular.
The Brazilian did not have such success during the Copa America. On the other hand, the winger shone during the decisive matches in the Champions League. Another contender, the Spaniard Rodri, European champion with La Roja and true talisman of Manchester City. The title holder, Lionel Messi, is not even on the list.
Among women, Aitana Bonmati could well imitate her compatriot Alexia Putellas, with a back-to-back record for the Ballon d’Or in 2021 and 2022. The Spanish midfielder, victorious in the Champions League with FC Barcelona, will have to Moreover, be wary of internal competition. Striker Salma Paralluelo and attacking midfielder Caroline Graham Hansen are also among the favorites. Unless one of the Americans named – Lindsey Horan, Alyssa Naeher, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson – takes advantage of their Olympic title in Paris to interfere in the fight.
Who are the French men and women concerned?
Kylian Mbappé and William Saliba are the only Blues present on the list of 30 nominees. They are also two French women: a duo of Parisians composed of Grace Geyoro and Marie-Antoinette Katoto. At the head of Lyon before taking charge of Chelsea this summer, Sonia Bompastor is the only French technician in the race for the Oscar for best coach.
Finally, Mike Maignan is in the running for the best goalkeeper trophy while Warren Zaire-Emery and the Bavarian Mathys Tel are among the 10 best young people of the past season.
