October 28th 2024.
Lionel Messi made history in 2023 when he was awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or, and now the football world eagerly anticipates the 2024 ceremony. This year, the event will be held in Paris on Monday, where the best players from around the globe will gather to receive one of the sport's most coveted individual prizes.
For the first time in over two decades, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi have been nominated for the men's category. This means that a first-time winner is guaranteed, and the odds are in favor of Brazilian sensation Vinicius Junior, who is expected to become the first Brazilian winner since 2007. His Real Madrid teammate, Jude Bellingham, is also a top contender, along with Premier League star Rodri.
As we await the unveiling of this year's winner, let's take a look at everything you need to know about the ceremony. First and foremost, it will take place on Monday, October 28, 2024 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, starting at 7pm GMT. While the event will not be televised on any UK TV channel, viewers can catch all the action for free on L'Equipe's YouTube channel.
The full list of nominees for the Ballon d'Or includes 30 players, and some notable names missing this year are Karim Benzema and Luka Modric. Fans can expect an exciting evening as the top players from around the world compete for the title.
Vinicius Junior is the overwhelming favorite to win this year's Ballon d'Or, with his odds at 1/20. However, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, and Erling Haaland are also among the top contenders, with odds ranging from 6/1 to 40/1.
But how is the Ballon d'Or winner decided? Unlike other awards that rely on votes from current players, the Ballon d'Or winner is chosen by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings. Each journalist is asked to select their top 10 players in order, and the player with the most points wins the award.
Last year, Lionel Messi took home the Ballon d'Or, adding another trophy to his impressive collection. The full list of previous winners is a star-studded one, including names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Ronaldinho. It's safe to say that whoever wins this year will join an elite group of football legends.
Aside from the Ballon d'Or, other awards will also be handed out, including the Feminin Ballon d'Or for the best female player, the Kopa Trophy for the best men's under-21 player, the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, and the men's and women's Coach of the Year Trophy.
So mark your calendars for Monday, October 28, 2024, and get ready to witness the crowning of the next Ballon d'Or winner. Will it be Vinicius Junior, or will we see an upset from one of the other talented contenders? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - it will be a night to remember for football fans everywhere.
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