Ballon d’Or LIVE: Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior refuse to attend as decision made | Football | Sport

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place in Paris tonight and it’s already been guaranteed that a new player will be crowned the world’s best. Lionel Messi won the award for a record extending eighth time last year, but this time around, the Argentinian icon is not one of the 30 nominees.

There is plenty of Premier League interest though, with Manchester City’s Rodri one of the favourites to take the main honour at the Theatre du Chatelet. Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jnr and Jude Bellingham are also amongst the frontrunners.

The female prize, the Ballon d’Or Feminin, was won by Spain and Barcelona forward Aitana Bonmati last year and she is expected to prevail again. Two new awards are also being introduced tonight, Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Coach of the Year, while the Yashin and Kopa trophy winners, and the men’s and women’s clubs of the year, will also be confirmed. 

Follow our live coverage of the Ballon d’Or ceremony below….