When are the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees announced? Who are the favourites to win and when is the ceremony?
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Published 03/09/2024 at 14:55 GMT+1
The annual Ballon d’Or awards are just around the corner now that autumn is here, and the nominees are set to be announced tomorrow. But who could take home the coveted prize in 2024, when is the ceremony and are there any new categories set to be included? We have all the information you need as football’s annual night of glitz and glamour comes ever closer.
'Got to be in the conversation' - Owen explains how Bellingham could win Ballon d'Or
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The 2024 Ballon d'Or awards will be held on Monday 28 October in Paris, as football’s best and finest gear up to see if their names have been chalked in sporting immortality.
The nominees for footballer of the year are set to be announced tomorrow, September 4, and for the first time in a long time, it looks like the big prize for the men might not go the way of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo or Argentinian Lionel Messi.
Those two have scooped the award all but twice in the last 15 years, but now some other superstars are laying a claim for the grandest of prizes. The votes are cast by 100 invited journalists from around the world, who have to consider the following criteria:
1. Individual performance, decisiveness and impressiveness
2. Collective performance and track record
3. Class and fair play
There are also two new awards for 2024 - Men’s Coach of the year, and Women’s Coach of the year.
So, who are the contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or?
Rodri (Manchester City)
The 28-year-old Spanish star has been a City stalwart since 2019. Last season, he recorded 12 goals with 15 assists as Manchester City won the Premier League title yet again. He wasn’t nominated for the Ballon d’Or last season, but is widely tipped to be a front-runner this time around.
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Rodri, Dani Olmo, Spain, Euro 2024
Image credit: Getty Images
Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)
The 24-year-old Brazilian plays his football in Spain, having signed for Real Madrid just weeks before his 18th birthday.
He made the list of nominees last year, but this time around has had an even more impressive season with 26 goals and 12 assists as Real Madrid won both the Champions League and La Liga.
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Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring from the penalty spot during the Spanish league football match between UD Las Palmas and Real Madrid CF at the Gran Canaria stadium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on August 29, 2024
Image credit: Getty Images
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Mbappe might be in the colours of Real Madrid now, but last season he was doing everything he could to take the Champions League title to Paris Saint-Germain. They fell in the semi-finals, and Mbappe has headed to Spain for the next part of his career, but with 52 goals last season, he might be difficult to ignore when it comes to the nominations.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid could well dominate the nominations, with plenty of support for Bellingham looking likely.
His first season at the Spanish giants brought plaudits and silverware, and his England performances further cemented his status as one of the best in the business.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
This year might be one too soon for the Spanish teenager, who had already impressed at Barcelona before scoring that wonder goal against France in the Euro semi-finals. But he could well dominate the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.
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Yamal and Spain power into Euro 2024 final following a 2-1 victory over France
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What about the women’s category? First added to the event in 2018, Aitana Bonmati was last year's winner and could well make it consecutive victories, with Barcelona's roster of talent likely to result in multiple nominations - although plenty of US stars from Paris should make the shortlist too.
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
Last year’s winner is one of the favourites again, after helping Barcelona to another league title. The Spanish great succeeded her team-mate Alexia Putellas to the famous golden ball trophy last year to cap a fine season. And she hasn't slowed down this season either, with 26 goals to her name.
Lindsey Horan (Lyon)
American superstar Horan has had another brilliant season, culminating in captaining her side to Olympic gold in Paris.
With 12 goals and eight assists, she’s been in electric form for Lyon too, especially now the club has worked out how to get the best from her. A Champions League final plus the league title to go with that gold medal is a very impressive return for her 2023-24 campaign.
Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
Swanson might have only made her return from a prolonged knee injury back in March, but she has firmly muscled her way into contention for the award through her incredible run in Paris.
Four goals plus two assists in just six games for the US, Swanson was one of the players of the tournament, her gold medal a just reward for the popular player who looked very much back to her best following those two knee surgeries.
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Watch USA's women celebrate winning football gold as Cruise and Rapinoe applaud
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Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns)
Another player who excelled in Paris, Smith has been nominated before and could well prove popular this time around with the voting committee.
As well as her strong performances in the US colours, she made a brilliant start to the domestic season for the Portland Thorns, with eight goals and six assists.
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Mallory Swanson, Alyssa Naeher, Lindsey Horan, Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Emma Hayes of the United States
Image credit: Getty Images
Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona)
Barcelona could dominate the podium come October, with Hansen another to have had a brilliant season. 33 goals with 26 assists, the Norwegian was one of the standout performers in that Champions League final, and having not yet been nominated, this could well be her year.
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