The 2024 Ballon d’Or award will tonight be handed out in Paris, with a first-time winner guaranteed.
Lionel Messi was crowned for the eighth time last year, but both he and Cristiano Ronaldo have missed out on the shortlist this time, with Luka Modric and Karim Benzema also not included.
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In an exciting twist in the hours before the ceremony, Rodri was installed as the favourite to win the prize despite Vinicius Jr for weeks being considered a shoo-in after his role in helping Real Madrid win the Champions League, LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup. Team-mate Jude Bellingham has also made the shortlist.
Manchester City’s Rodri was integral in his club winning the Premier League yet again and Spain then going all the way at Euro 2024, and is the most likely winner should Vinicius miss out.
Rodri is one of ten Premier League players on the 30-man shortlist, along with the likes of Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Phil Foden.
When will the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner be announced?
The winner will be crowned tonight, Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, with the ceremony set to begin at 7.45pm GMT.
How to watch the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony
Live stream: The ceremony will be broadcast live on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Ballon d’Or shortlist in full
Ballon d’Or 2024 odds
Rodri: 1/12
Toni Kroos: 58/1
Vinicius Jr: 28/1
Jude Bellingham: 126/1
Lamine Yamal: 136/1
Lautaro Martinez: 138/1
(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)
What other awards will be given out?
The Feminin Ballon d’Or winner will also be announced, with Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp the three English players on the shortlist.
There is unsurprisingly a strong Spanish contingent nominated, including former winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, and Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Lindsey Horan are among the Americans in the running after Emma Hayes’ side won Olympic gold.
Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho on the ten-man shortlist for the Kopa Trophy, given to the best men’s under-21 player, but it would be a surprise if Lamine Yamal did not pick up that award.
Emiliano Martinez is the only Premier League goalkeeper nominated for the Yashin Trophy, while Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso are all on the shortlist for men’s coach of the year.
Jonatan Giraldez, Sarina Wiegman, Hayes and Sonia Bompastor are included in what is a competitive shortlist for the women’s coach award
There will also be an award for the best men’s and women’s club of the year. Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester City, Girona and Borussia Dortmund make the men’s shortlist, and in the women’s game it is between Barcelona, Chelsea, NJ/NY Gotham, PSG and Lyon.
