In this article, you will find all the details you need to know about the 2024 Ballon d’Or, including when and where to watch the award show live.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or is set to be a historic night, with a new name guaranteed to be etched into the records of football history.
For the first time since 2003, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will be on the shortlist, while the other active former winners, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema, are also not included in the list.
What is the Ballon d'Or?
The Ballon d'Or, a prestigious annual award presented by France Football since 1956, is the pinnacle of individual achievement in football.
It recognises and honours the world's most exceptional footballers for their outstanding performances and contributions to the sport.
For the third straight edition, the award will consider an entire football season (2023-24 season) instead of the calendar year.
Where and when is the Ballon d'Or ceremony taking place?
This is the 68th edition of the awards ceremony, and it will take place on Monday, October 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
The ceremony will begin at 7:45 pm WAT.
Where to watch the ceremony
The ceremony will be broadcast live on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel and website.
You can also follow quick updates on the Pulse Sports website.
Favourites to win the men’s 2024 Ballon d’Or
The frontrunners for the award are Brazilian Vinicius Junior, English man Jude Bellingham, both of whom play for Real Madrid in Spain, and Span International Rodri, who plays for Manchester City.
Brazil could have its first Ballon d'Or winner since Kaká in 2007, with Vinicius Junior the favourite after leading Real Madrid to Champions League, LaLiga, and Spanish Super Cup titles.
However, Manchester City's Rodri, instrumental in their Premier League triumph and Spain's Euro 2024 victory, poses a strong challenge.
Full Ballon d’Or nominees
Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman is part of the nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award. Here are others:
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Artem Dovbyk (Dnipro/Girona/Roma)
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Kylian Mbappe (PSG/Real Madrid)
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig/Barcelona)
Cole Palmer (Manchester City/Chelsea)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Rodri (Manchester City)
Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Vitinha (PSG)
Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Who has won the most Ballons d’Ors?
Lionel Messi has won the most Ballons d’Or ever, with eight to this name.
He is followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has the second-most with five.