Oman today_ The 2024 Ballon d’Or marks a new era as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not nomninated. New contenders like Vinicius Júnior, Rodri, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham dominate the spotlight. The ceremony will be held on 28 October in Paris and will honor both men’s and women’s top footballers. The 2024 Ballon d’Or marks the beginning of a new era as neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo is nominated, ending over a decade of dominance between the two football legends. Messi and Ronaldo collectively won the award 13 times in 16 years, with Messi securing his eighth and final Ballon d’Or in 2023 after leading Argentina to the World Cup victory. Now, the spotlight shifts to new contenders such as Vinicius Junior, the Real Madrid star favoured to win this year after an impressive season. Other strong candidates include Manchester City’s Rodri and Erling Haaland, as well as Jude Bellingham. This shift recalls the pre-Messi-Ronaldo era, where winners varied more frequently, as seen with players like Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho. The Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football since 1956, celebrates the top footballers of the previous season. Votes are cast by journalists worldwide, ranking their top 10 players. Alongside the men’s award, honours will also be given to the best female player, goalkeeper, coach, and young talent.
The awards to be presented tonight at the France Football (Ballon d’Or) ceremony are as follows:
