The live coverage of the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony has begun, highlighting notable absences and the main contenders for the prestigious award.
Alejandro Garnacho arrived at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris alongside his girlfriend. The young Hispano-Argentinian player is nominated for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21 as of July 31, 2024.
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente engaged in conversation on the red carpet, expressing his admiration for Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni, with whom he has shared a past professional connection. De la Fuente noted that Scaloni’s achievements with the Argentine national team are commendable.
As the event progresses, several prominent figures are making their way into the venue. De la Fuente is among the candidates for the best coach award, competing against Scaloni and others.
The rankings for the Ballon d’Or nominees are also being revealed. Granit Xhaka from Switzerland ranks 16th, while Nico Williams from Spain comes in at 15th, followed by Ademola Lookman, Dani Olmo, Florian Wirtz, and Phil Foden in the respective spots.
Didier Drogba and Sandy Heribert are returning as hosts for the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, continuing their tradition since 2019. Drogba, a Chelsea legend and African football icon, has also served as the award’s ambassador in recent years.
In the rankings, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez secured the 18th position among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or and continues his nomination for the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper. Other candidates, such as Martin Odegaard and Hakan Calhanoglu, are positioned at 20th and 19th, respectively.
The voting process for the Ballon d’Or is defined by criteria set forth by France Football. Key factors include players’ performance during the season, team titles won within the calendar year, and the public image of the player, encompassing on-field behavior and philanthropic activities.
The 68th edition of the awards ceremony takes place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with proceedings beginning at 20:45 local time. A panel of 180 journalists from FIFA’s top-ranked countries will cast votes, determining the outcome based on a point system assigned to each player. Notably, the Kopa Trophy is selected solely by former Ballon d’Or winners.
Among the 30 nominees, those ranked from 25th to 21st include players like Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka. Additionally, female footballers are also being recognized, with names like Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp appearing in the rankings.
Moreover, Real Madrid has made the decision to withdraw its delegation from the ceremony, following reports that Vinicius Junior will not receive recognition, leading to distress within the club.
Lionel Scaloni, who led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022, is nominated among the best coaches, alongside prominent figures such as Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola.
Despite Lionel Messi’s absence, Lautaro Martínez and Emiliano Martínez are nominated for the Ballon d’Or, though predictions do not favor them for the top spot.
This year marks a unique occasion as neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are in the running for the award, ending a long-standing period of rivalry between the two legendary figures who have dominated the accolades for over a decade and a half.
As anticipation builds, top contenders such as Jude Bellingham, Rodri, and Vinicius Jr. are among the favorites for the Best Player award, with Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr. a strong candidate for recognition that hasn’t been awarded to a Brazilian player since Kaká in 2007.
The ceremony has officially commenced, welcoming viewers to witness the 2024 Ballon d’Or celebration, organized by France Football. Live coverage is being provided by TNT Sports.