Time to sign off, I’ll leave you with Nick Ames’ web report on events in Paris. Thanks for reading along, it’s been fun. Adios!
Before we go, here’s a reminder of all tonight’s award winners, and the top 30 lists in the men’s and women’s awards. I’d also like to pitch in with a late award, for the Sorest Losers … congratulations to Real Madrid. I’ll let Sean Orlowicz give the speech.
“Really beautiful to see Real Madrid fans, supporters of the most successful club both historically and very recently, completely melt down over a meaningless individual award. What modern football fans seem to want more than anything – goals, attractive football, wins, trophies – is to be the downtrodden victim of some grand conspiracy.”
1 Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)
2 Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
3 Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)
4 Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid/Spain)
5 Erling Haaland (Man City/Norway)
6 Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France)
7 Lautaro Martínez (Inter, Argentina)
8 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
9 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany)
10 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
11 Phil Foden (Man City/England)
12 Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen/Germany)
13 Dani Olmo (Barcelona/Spain)
14 Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/Nigeria)
15 Nico Williams (Athletic/Spain)
16 Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen/Switzerland)
17 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay)
18 Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
19 Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal/Norway)
20 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter/Turkey)
21 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
22 Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid/Germany)
23 Rúben Dias (Man City/Portugal)
24 William Saliba (Arsenal/France)
25 Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England)
26 Declan Rice (Arsenal/England)
27 Vitinha (PSG/Portugal)
28 Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen/Spain)
=29 Mats Hummels (Roma/Germany)
=29 Artem Dovbyk (Roma/Ukraine)
1 Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona/Spain)
2 Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona/Norway)
3 Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona/Spain)
4 Sophia Smith (Portland/USA)
5 Lindsey Horan (Lyon/USA)
6 Mallory Swanson (Chicago/USA)
7 Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG/France)
8 Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal/Spain)
9 Trinity Rodman (Washington/USA)
10 Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)
11 Patri Guijarro (Barcelona/Spain)
12 Barbra Banda (Orlando/Zambia)
13 Lauren James (Chelsea/England)
14 Ada Hegerberg (Lyon/Norway)
15 Khadija Shaw (Man City/Jamaica)
16 Tabitha Chawinga (PSG/Malawi)
17 Alyssa Naeher (Chicago/USA)
18 Gabi Portilho (Corinthians/Brazil)
19 Giulia Gwinn (Bayern/Germany)
20 Lucy Bronze (Chelsea/England)
21 Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea/Colombia)
22 Glódis Viggósdóttir (Bayern/Iceland)
23 Tarciane (Houston/Brazil)
24 Lea Schüller (Bayern/Germany)
25 Sjœke Nüsken (Chelsea/Germany)
26 Yui Hasegawa (Man City/Japan)
27 Manuela Giugliano (Roma/Italy)
28 Lauren Hemp (Man City/England)
29 Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg/Poland)
30 Grace Geyoro (PSG/France)
Men's Ballon d'Or Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)
Women's Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona/Spain)
Yashin Trophy Emíliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
Kopa Trophy Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
Gerd Müller Trophy Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé
Men's coach of the year Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Women's coach of the year Emma Hayes (Chelsea & USA)
Club of the year Real Madrid (men) and Barcelona (women)
Sócrates Award Jennifer Hermoso
Updated
“For a game that hails itself as a team sport, it’s a strange decision by Real to snub the awards on the basis that Vinícius would not win an individual prize, while the team and its manager actually won awards,” writes Krishna.
“I have never cared one bit about this award, I think individual awards make no sense in a team sport, even more so when comparing players of different positions,” says Adam Becker. “That said, the Real drama has sucked me in and I have been checking this blog every few minutes though. Was this all some kind of ploy to get people interested?”
Here’s a nice video montage from Manchester City on what makes Rodri great:
The best in the world ✨#ballondor pic.twitter.com/eBFxJbaCJP
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 28, 2024
Last year, we ranked a Manchester City player as the best in the world – but it was Erling Haaland, with Rodri fifth. Will a Real Madrid player top our new chart in December, or will Florentino Pérez be boycotting the Guardian?
Men’s award: full ranking
1 Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)
2 Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
3 Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)
4 Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid/Spain)
5 Erling Haaland (Man City/Norway)
6 Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France)
7 Lautaro Martínez (Inter, Argentina)
8 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
9 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany)
10 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
11 Phil Foden (Man City/England)
12 Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen/Germany)
13 Dani Olmo (Barcelona/Spain)
14 Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/Nigeria)
15 Nico Williams (Athletic/Spain)
16 Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen/Switzerland)
17 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay)
18 Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
19 Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal/Norway)
20 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter/Turkey)
21 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
22 Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid/Germany)
23 Rúben Dias (Man City/Portugal)
24 William Saliba (Arsenal/France)
25 Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England)
26 Declan Rice (Arsenal/England)
27 Vitinha (PSG/Portugal)
28 Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen/Spain)
=29 Mats Hummels (Roma/Germany)
=29 Artem Dovbyk (Roma/Ukraine)
Stanley Matthews, Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Michael Owen, Cristiano Ronaldo … Rodri.
Rodri’s win is historic on many levels – he’s the first Manchester City player to win the award (Shaun Goater was robbed, imo), and only the seventh man to win it while playing in the English league. He is also – and this is scarcely believable – the first Spanish player to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Luis Suárez in 1960!
Rodri is now talking to the hosts in English. “I always try to improve every day, the level of my game, [playing] the modern holding midfielder role, playing further forward.”
What’s he like off the field, they ask. “I’m just a normal guy, I enjoy sport, enjoy my profession. I try to be a good person, try to be a leader. I’m a calm person, until I get upset. I’d like to show the kids that you don’t have to be crazy, you can be a normal guy, try to do your best.”
He says his injury is healing: “Feeling much better … it’s part of life, part of sport.” He plans to rest and enjoy some time with his family, be positive and come back stronger. Will he sleep with the trophy tonight? “100%!”
“An incredible night for me,” he says in English before switching to Spanish. “It’s a special day for me, my family and my country,” and thanks his girlfriend, Laura. “It’s our anniversary – she is the most important person in the world to me.”
He thanks his Manchester City teammates – “for me, this is the best club in the world” – and his fellow Spain players for their Euro 2024 success. He tells Lamine Yamal he will win this award too one day, if he keeps working hard.
Rodri also talks about failing a trial at 17, and thinking his career was over – but his parents told him to keep trying. Apologies that this is something of a brief summary, the feed was dubbed and farcically hard to hear in either language.
It looks like Vinícius Júnior came second, with Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal in third and fourth. Three of the top four, four of the top six for Real – but not the big one.
Updated
Rodri wins the men's Ballon d'Or award
And the winner is … Rodri! He was a distant second favourite yesterday, but that all changed today and once he showed up and Real Madrid didn’t, the writing was on the wall. But today’s drama and pettiness aside, he’s a deserving winner. These things are hard to judge across a single season, but he has won the Euros, scored a Champions League winner, and is the most vital cog in one of the world’s best club teams.
Updated
So the men’s award will be won by either Manchester City’s Rodri, or one of the Real Madrid trio of Vinícius Júnior, Dani Carvajal or Jude Bellingham. City legend George Weah is presenting the award. An omen? There is, of course, also the fact nobody from Real Madrid is in the building.
Anyway, let’s enjoy a reel of Weah’s best bits, incuding that goal. He is also asked who his favourite current player is, and he points out Harry Kane, who looks genuinely chuffed. Now some chat with Didier Drogba. Very nice stuff, but can we maybe get to the award now, George?
Updated
It’s an all-Barcelona top three:
The 2024 Ballon d'Or top three 🤩#BallondOr || #UWCL pic.twitter.com/Ex932fssTZ
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) October 28, 2024
Women’s award: full ranking
1 Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona/Spain)
2 Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona/Norway)
3 Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona/Spain)
4 Sophia Smith (Portland/USA)
5 Lindsey Horan (Lyon/USA)
6 Mallory Swanson (Chicago/USA)
7 Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG/France)
8 Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal/Spain)
9 Trinity Rodman (Washington/USA)
10 Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)
11 Patri Guijarro (Barcelona/Spain)
12 Barbra Banda (Orlando/Zambia)
13 Lauren James (Chelsea/England)
14 Ada Hegerberg (Lyon/Norway)
15 Khadija Shaw (Man City/Jamaica)
16 Tabitha Chawinga (PSG/Malawi)
17 Alyssa Naeher (Chicago/USA)
18 Gabi Portilho (Corinthians/Brazil)
19 Giulia Gwinn (Bayern/Germany)
20 Lucy Bronze (Chelsea/England)
21 Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea/Colombia)
22 Glódis Viggósdóttir (Bayern/Iceland)
23 Tarciane (Houston/Brazil)
24 Lea Schüller (Bayern/Germany)
25 Sjœke Nüsken (Chelsea/Germany)
26 Yui Hasegawa (Man City/Japan)
27 Manuela Giugliano (Roma/Italy)
28 Lauren Hemp (Man City/England)
29 Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg/Poland)
30 Grace Geyoro (PSG/France)
Updated
“If Vinícius loses out to Rodri, will vote-splitting among the five Real Madrid players in the top 10 be to blame?” asks Kari Tulinius. “Or does the voting process guard against that in some way?” I don’t really want to get into voting protocols at this stage of the evening, but you may well be right; as far as I can tell, there’s no limit on how many players from one club you can vote for.
Having tweeted the top 30, player-by-player, for the last five hours, France Football are now being coy about Nos 2-4. Here’s a clip of Aitana Bonmatí’s speech, in Spanish and dubbed in French, which is not ideal but we are where we are.
Aitana Bonmatí rend hommage à ses coéquipières après la remise du Trophée du Ballon d'Or #ballondor
— la chaine L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) October 28, 2024
Suivez la 68e cérémonie du Ballon d'Or en direct : https://t.co/4aKX3vuX6w pic.twitter.com/lGsODBLjfL
“I feel bad for Carlo Ancelotti,” writes Krishna Moorthy. “A gentleman manager with a character to go along with it. It’s a pity that he had to toe the line of the club’s direction. How many millimeters do you think that eyebrow went up today?”
Aitana Bonmatí retains the women's Ballon d'Or!
In this category at least, the hot favourite has won. Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí wins the prize for a second time, retaining it from last year, and following on from clubmate Alexia Putellas’s double. It’s well deserved, she’s a phenomenal player who has won the World Cup and Champions League (twice) in the last 18 months.
Aitana, again... it's yours! 🤩#ballondor pic.twitter.com/FEVdBghvhm
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Updated
Now it’s time for the real quiz, as we hand out the Ballons d’Or. First, the women’s award, which is being presented by Natalie Portman. The Hollywood actor is a part-owner of Angel City FC in the USA, and reveals that she goes to watch Paris Saint-Germain quite often. A crowd-pleasing choice.
Carlo Ancelotti wins the men's Johan Cruyff Trophy
So, Real Madrid add men’s coach of the year to the team of the year prize – and four of the top six players in the men’s Ballon d’Or countdown. Carlo Ancelotti isn’t here, of course, and we move swiftly on.
Emma Hayes wins the women's Johan Cruyff Trophy
This is the award for the coach of the year, with a women’s category for the first time this year. It goes to Emma Hayes, former Chelsea coach who led the USA to Olympic gold in the summer. She accepts the award via a video link message.
Emma Hayes our Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy winner got a message for you! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/diaujscmaP
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Updated
“Misread the names and thought the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, was up for the Yashin Trophy. Pretty impressive for a 74-year old,” writes Chris Plant, whose name I initially misread as Chris Pratt.
I must admit I wasn’t familiar with Ronwen Williams either – but this interview with Ed Aarons is a great starting point.
Men’s award: live ranking
5 Erling Haaland (Man City/Norway)
6 Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France)
7 Lautaro Martínez (Inter, Argentina)
8 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
9 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany)
10 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
11 Phil Foden (Man City/England)
12 Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen/Germany)
13 Dani Olmo (Barcelona/Spain)
14 Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/Nigeria)
15 Nico Williams (Athletic/Spain)
16 Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen/Switzerland)
17 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay)
18 Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
19 Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal/Norway)
20 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter/Turkey)
21 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
22 Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid/Germany)
23 Rúben Dias (Man City/Portugal)
24 William Saliba (Arsenal/France)
25 Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England)
26 Declan Rice (Arsenal/England)
27 Vitinha (PSG/Portugal)
28 Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen/Spain)
=29 Mats Hummels (Roma/Germany)
=29 Artem Dovbyk (Roma/Ukraine)
The top four, in no particular order: Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Rodri, Vinícius Júnior.
Jenni Hermoso wins the Socrates Award
Next up, it’s the Socrates Award, which is given to a footballer for their off-field, charity or humanitarian work. Last year’s winner was – oh! – Vinícius Júnior. This year, the award goes to … Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso!
Jennifer Hermoso is the winner of the 2024 Socrates Award!
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Congrats, @Jennihermoso 👑 #PrixSocrates with @peaceandsport #ballondor pic.twitter.com/NZD0hjzf5w
Hermoso wins the award for her “exemplary role in the development and equality in women’s football,” for standing up for her rights – under intense pressure – after being forcibly kissed by Luis Rubiales, the Spanish FA chief now consigned to the dustbin of football history.
Updated
Women’s award: live ranking
5 Lindsey Horan (Lyon/USA)
6 Mallory Swanson (Chicago/USA)
7 Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG/France)
8 Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal/Spain)
9 Trinity Rodman (Washington/USA)
10 Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)
11 Patri Guijarro (Barcelona/Spain)
12 Barbra Banda (Orlando/Zambia)
13 Lauren James (Chelsea/England)
14 Ada Hegerberg (Lyon/Norway)
15 Khadija Shaw (Man City/Jamaica)
16 Tabitha Chawinga (PSG/Malawi)
17 Alyssa Naeher (Chicago/USA)
18 Gabi Portilho (Corinthians/Brazil)
19 Giulia Gwinn (Bayern/Germany)
20 Lucy Bronze (Chelsea/England)
21 Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea/Colombia)
22 Glódis Viggósdóttir (Bayern/Iceland)
23 Tarciane (Houston/Brazil)
24 Lea Schüller (Bayern/Germany)
25 Sjœke Nüsken (Chelsea/Germany)
26 Yui Hasegawa (Man City/Japan)
27 Manuela Giugliano (Roma/Italy)
28 Lauren Hemp (Man City/England)
29 Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg/Poland)
30 Grace Geyoro (PSG/France)
The top four (in no particular order): Aitana Bonmatí, Caroline Graham Hansen, Salma Paralluelo, Sophia Smith.
“I hope there will be wider acknowledgement of how classless it is for Real Madrid to boycott this event,” writes Ben Hardman. “They have won the award multiple times in recent years. To win Team of the Year and refuse to turn up claiming an agenda is not a good look. It stinks of entitlement.”
It’s also part of a tedious modern trend: big, rich and hugely dominant clubs who can bend the fabric of the game to their will, complaining that they’re victims of an agenda.
Emilíano Martínez wins the Yashin Trophy
It is indeed the Aston Villa and Argentina custodian, who won the Copa América and helped Villa into the Champions League. He retains the trophy from last year, and manages to accept it without placing it somewhere hilarious on his anatomy.
Unai Simón came second after winning the Euros with Spain, with Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid in third for his performances covering for Thibaut Courtois. The Ukrainian is back on the bench now, though.
Updated
The Ballons d’Or have been removed from their Louis Vuitton lock-boxes, live on stage. Pure theatre. Anyway, the next award is the Lev Yashin Trophy, which is going to one of these keepers. Emi Martinez or Mamardashvili, you’d imagine …
Diogo Costa, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Gregor Kobel, Andriy Lunin, Mike Maignan, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Emiliano Martínez, Unai Simón, Yann Sommer, Ronwen Williams.
Updated
Men’s award: live ranking
8 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
9 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany)
10 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
11 Phil Foden (Man City/England)
12 Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen/Germany)
13 Dani Olmo (Barcelona/Spain)
14 Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/Nigeria)
15 Nico Williams (Athletic/Spain)
16 Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen/Switzerland)
17 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay)
18 Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
19 Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal/Norway)
20 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter/Turkey)
21 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
22 Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid/Germany)
23 Rúben Dias (Man City/Portugal)
24 William Saliba (Arsenal/France)
25 Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England)
26 Declan Rice (Arsenal/England)
27 Vitinha (PSG/Portugal)
28 Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen/Spain)
=29 Mats Hummels (Roma/Germany)
=29 Artem Dovbyk (Roma/Ukraine)
Remaining nominees: Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, Vinícius Júnior.
Women’s award: live ranking
8 Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal/Spain)
9 Trinity Rodman (Washington/USA)
10 Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)
11 Patri Guijarro (Barcelona/Spain)
12 Barbra Banda (Orlando/Zambia)
13 Lauren James (Chelsea/England)
14 Ada Hegerberg (Lyon/Norway)
15 Khadija Shaw (Man City/Jamaica)
16 Tabitha Chawinga (PSG/Malawi)
17 Alyssa Naeher (Chicago/USA)
18 Gabi Portilho (Corinthians/Brazil)
19 Giulia Gwinn (Bayern/Germany)
20 Lucy Bronze (Chelsea/England)
21 Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea/Colombia)
22 Glódis Viggósdóttir (Bayern/Iceland)
23 Tarciane (Houston/Brazil)
24 Lea Schüller (Bayern/Germany)
25 Sjœke Nüsken (Chelsea/Germany)
26 Yui Hasegawa (Man City/Japan)
27 Manuela Giugliano (Roma/Italy)
28 Lauren Hemp (Man City/England)
29 Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg/Poland)
30 Grace Geyoro (PSG/France)
Remaining nominees: Aitana Bonmatí, Caroline Graham Hansen, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Salma Paralluelo, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan.
Updated
Anyway, back to the awards – next, it’s the Gerd Müller award, for the man with the most goals last season. And it’s a tie, between Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, who both scored 52 goals.
Kane, as the only one of the two actually here, comes up to give a short speech, claiming he is clearly superior to Mbappé and this was all his own work thanking his teammates and France Football, and adding that it’s nice to win an award named after a Bayern Munich legend.
It’s nice to see Harry get his hands on a trophy – but it’s a bitter irony that even when he wins something, he has to share it with another player.
Updated
Were Hummels and Dovbyk always sitting next to Rodri, or … ?
That front row! 👌 #ballondor pic.twitter.com/lYK59LfqLl
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Well, this is awkward. Real Madrid win the men’s club of the year prize, but nobody from the club is here to collect it.
Real haven’t tweeted about the award, or any other Ballon d’Or news – this is their only tweet today. It’s … a choice.
📲 WE ARE 6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ MILLION!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 28, 2024
💜 THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING US, #MADRIDISTAS! pic.twitter.com/WP4DZsd1Br
Barcelona win women’s club of the year! The all-conquering queens of Spain and Europe beat Lyon in last season’s Women’s Champions League final, their third title in four years.
Updated
“I would like to dedicate this award to my mother and my grandmother who have always supported me,” Yamal says. “But also to my teams and my coaches.” Barça’s starboy finished ahead of Arda Guler and Kobbie Mainoo, with Savinho fourth and Pau Cubarsi fifth.
Updated
Lamine Yamal wins the Kopa Trophy
The ceremony begins, with Didier Drogba and Sandy Herbert hosting. Ruud Gullit is on stage to present the first award of the night – the Kopa Trophy for best young (U21) player. It goes to … Lamine Yamal! At the age of 17, he’s the first player under 18 to win the award.
The various nominees in attendance are now being called out on to the stage in pairs, some of which make sense – Rodri and Luis de la Fuente, Yamal and Putellas – others less so. Alejandro Garnacho and Aitana Bonmatí?
Here’s the Barcelona contingent arriving on the red carpet …
Lamine Yamal, Aitana Bonmatí... La délégation du Barça est arrivée sur le tapis rouge ! #ballondor
— la chaine L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) October 28, 2024
Suivez le direct : https://t.co/4aKX3vuX6w pic.twitter.com/BnX2ycS3dY
Lamine Yamal is the hot favourite to win this year’s Kopa Trophy – maybe Real Madrid aren’t coming tonight because they don’t want to run into him again …
As far as I can tell, there is still no L’Equipe livestream for the ceremony, which is due to start in about 15 minutes. It’s also not available to watch on TV (in the UK, at least). Seems a strange setup for such a popular and significant event.
Rodri is here, using crutches to cross the red carpet after suffering a season-ending ACL injury last month. He says he’s “feeling good” despite being early in his recovery, and insists he “doesn’t know anything” about tonight’s outcome. “It’s a pleasure to be nominated.”
Rodri from @ManCity! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/ykF5QsNnul
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
The Barcelona admin is at it here, surely …
🤵♂️ We are truly honored to be here. Thank you, @ballondor, for such a warm and gracious welcome. 🤝#ballondor https://t.co/bSO4j6Jokq
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2024
One member of Real Madrid’s Champions League winning 23-24 team who is talking tonight is Toni Kroos. The midfielder, who retired after Germany’s Euro 2024 exit, has said “Rodri will win,” adding: “I have never seen the importance of these individual awards in football, they have no place.”
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who is at tonight’s ceremony, says: “It is not good for football that a club like Real Madrid is not present at an event of this nature.”
A reminder of the day’s big development – Real Madrid reportedly cancelled their delegation’s trip to Paris, because they believe Vinícius Júnior will not win the men’s award tonight.
If all of this is true, there’s still time for organisers to give Vinícius the award tonight while Real Madrid collectively sulk in Spain. I think even Rodri might see the funny side.
“Regardless of whether Real Madrid may be right about Rodri taking home the prize, isn’t skipping the event a childish lack of respect?” asks Rosario Russo. Oh yes, absolutely it is. If a Real Madrid player wins the award next year, why should anyone else bother to turn up?
Here’s Harry Kane, who has made the top 10. Who knows, he might have been a contender tonight had Bayern beaten Real Madrid, England defeated Spain at the Euros, and Kane had not been worked into the ground by the season’s business end.
👋 @HKane! 📸#BallonDor #MiaSanMia #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/08oGqbIxMc
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) October 28, 2024
Updated
Mario Balotelli – who finished 23rd on the 2012 shortlist – has joined Serie A strugglers Genoa. Back in 2016, the Italian said he “could have already won” the Ballon d’Or, but hoped to still win “in the next three years”. Not going to happen now of course, but I’d like to see him shine one more time.
For the first time in 20 editions of the men’s award, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi are on the 30-player shortlist. Messi (with eight) and Ronaldo (five) have held a grip on this golden ball for the past two decades, but now that era is over.
Plus awards for coaches and clubs …
Men’s club of the year: Leverkusen, Dortmund, Girona, Manchester City, Real Madrid.
Women’s club of the year: Barcelona, Chelsea, Lyon, NJ/NY Gotham, Paris Saint-Germain.
Men’s coach of the year: Xabi Alonso (Leverkusen), Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Lionel Scaloni (Argentina).
Women’s coach of the year: Sonia Bompastor (Lyon/Chelsea), Arthur Elias (Corinthians/Brazil), Jonatan Giráldez (Barcelona), Emma Hayes (Chelsea/USA); Filipa Patão (Benfica), Sarina Wiegman (England).
Some of the other awards already have shortlists announced, including these prizes for players:
Kopa Trophy (best young player – men’s award only): Pau Cubarsí, Alejandro Garnacho, Arda Güler, Karim Konaté, Kobbie Mainoo, João Neves, Savinho, Mathys Tel, Lamine Yamal, Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper – men’s award only): Diogo Costa, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Gregor Kobel, Andriy Lunin, Mike Maignan, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Emiliano Martínez, Unai Simón, Yann Sommer, Ronwen Williams.
Updated
The men’s list continues with Nos 15-11: Nico Williams, Ademola Lookman, Dani Olmo, Florian Wirtz and Phil Foden. A quality quintet there, and no mistake.
The good news for Roma is that they have two players on the top 30 shortlist. The bad news is they finished joint-29th (i.e. bottom) of that list – and neither played for them last season.
.@matshummels & Artem Dovbyk from @officialasroma walks the red carpet!#ballondor pic.twitter.com/fbSwrqioOB
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Another early arrival at the ceremony is Marcel Desailly. As good an excuse as any to recommend Jonathan Liew’s interview with the France, Milan and Chelsea legend.
Men’s live ranking
11 Phil Foden (Man City/England)
12 Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen/Germany)
13 Dani Olmo (Barcelona/Spain)
14 Ademola Lookman (Atalanta/Nigeria)
15 Nico Williams (Athletic/Spain)
16 Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen/Switzerland)
17 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay)
18 Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
19 Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal/Norway)
20 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter/Turkey)
21 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
22 Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid/Germany)
23 Rúben Dias (Man City/Portugal)
24 William Saliba (Arsenal/France)
25 Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England)
26 Declan Rice (Arsenal/England)
27 Vitinha (PSG/Portugal)
28 Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen/Spain)
=29 Mats Hummels (Roma/Germany)
=29 Artem Dovbyk (Roma/Ukraine)
Remaining nominees: Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Toni Kroos, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, Vinícius Júnior, Lamine Yamal.
Here comes the Spain manager, Luis de la Fuente, looking like he’s on his way to collect an Oscar after his three-hour historical drama won Best International Feature Film.
Luis de la Fuente walks the red carpet! 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/pIshbm76N0
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
“Will an American ever win the Ballon d’Or someday?” asks Kurt Perleberg. Well, Megan Rapinoe has won it, and I’ll wager that another USWNT player will follow suit in the next few years.
As for the men’s award, it’s hard to see it happening in the near future. It seems to me that a lot of US players with big potential end up hitting a ceiling – Gio Reyna, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie, even Christian Pulisic. But who knows.
Men’s live ranking
16 Granit Xhaka (Leverkusen/Switzerland)
17 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay)
18 Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
19 Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal/Norway)
20 Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter/Turkey)
21 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
22 Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid/Germany)
23 Rúben Dias (Man City/Portugal)
24 William Saliba (Arsenal/France)
25 Cole Palmer (Chelsea/England)
26 Declan Rice (Arsenal/England)
27 Vitinha (PSG/Portugal)
28 Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen/Spain)
=29 Mats Hummels (Roma/Germany)
=29 Artem Dovbyk (Roma/Ukraine)
Remaining nominees: Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Toni Kroos, Ademola Lookman, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Vinícius Júnior, Nico Williams, Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal.
There are some big names missing from the women’s top 30 – including Naomi Girma, Keira Walsh, Kadidiatou Diani and Olga Carmona. Tonight’s ceremony also won’t award a Kopa or Yashin award to a female player, and is taking place on the eve of Euro 2025 qualifiers. Is the Ballon d’Or really treating the women’s game equally?
Women’s award live ranking:
11 Patri Guijarro (Barcelona/Spain)
12 Barbra Banda (Orlando/Zambia)
13 Lauren James (Chelsea/England)
14 Ada Hegerberg (Lyon/Norway)
15 Khadija Shaw (Man City/Jamaica)
16 Tabitha Chawinga (PSG/Malawi)
17 Alyssa Naeher (Chicago/USA)
18 Gabi Portilho (Corinthians/Brazil)
19 Giulia Gwinn (Bayern/Germany)
20 Lucy Bronze (Chelsea/England)
21 Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea/Colombia)
22 Glódis Viggósdóttir (Bayern/Iceland)
23 Tarciane (Houston/Brazil)
24 Lea Schüller (Bayern/Germany)
25 Sjœke Nüsken (Chelsea/Germany)
26 Yui Hasegawa (Man City/Japan)
27 Manuela Giugliano (Roma/Italy)
28 Lauren Hemp (Man City/England)
29 Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg/Poland)
30 Grace Geyoro (PSG/France)
Remaining nominees: Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Caroline Graham Hansen , Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Salma Paralluelo, Alexia Putellas, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan.
Here are the baubles being handed out at the Théâtre du Châtelet this evening:
Men’s Ballon d’Or
Women’s Ballon d’Or
Kopa Trophy (best U21 player)
Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper)
Gerd Müller Trophy (top goalscorer)
Men’s Club of the Year
Women’s Club of the Year
Men’s Coach of the Year
Women’s Coach of the Year
Here’s more on the day’s big news, and the 30-player long lists which were announced in September. The countdowns have begun, so we’ll bring you the latest asap …
Preamble
Ballon d’Or. Ballon d’Or! Ballon d’Or!!! … Ballon d’Or? Ballon d’Or?! Ballon d’Or??? The biggest night in football for those who refuse to accept that this is fundamentally a team sport, and that every player on earth (yes, even Cristiano Ronaldo) would swap it to win the World Cup, is here – but before the ceremony in Paris has even kicked off, there’s been big drama.
Ever since the moment that caused Rio Ferdinand to lose the run of himself, Real Madrid baller Vinícius Júnior has been the hot favourite to win the men’s award. On Monday, though, speculative reports that he could be pipped to the prize by Manchester City midfield maestro Rodri soon gathered serious momentum.
It is now thought that Real have thrown their collective toys from the pram, and will not be sending anyone to Paris for tonight’s big shindig. Rodri, on the other hand, is here on crutches, which may tell its own story. Or there may be another twist in the tale, with France Football’s countdown of the top 30 now under way.
The women’s award is also being dished out tonight, with Aitana Bonmatí the favourite to retain her crown and continue Barcelona’s dominance after Alexia Putellas won it in 2021 and 2022. Another Barça player, Caroline Graham Hansen, could be a contender alongside Mariona Caldentey, who left Catalonia to join Arsenal in the summer.
