After months of anticipation, the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony is finally here to crown soccer's best players, clubs and managers. The 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees features the sport's biggest superstars, including Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior, Manchester City's Rodri and Barcelona's Aitana Bonmatí, but only a select few can leave the Théâtre du Châtelet with an award. The Ballon d'Or trophy might headline the ceremony, but the Kopa Trophy, the Yashin Trophy and more are all prestigious honors that go to the sport's top players.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place today, with the best in men’s and women’s football descending on the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris for a night of awards and celebration. Considered the most prestigious awards showcase in the industry, this is a night for legends to be born, joining the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the pantheon of greatness.

Two new awards will be introduced this year, with Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Coach of the Year joining a full slate that is headlined by the Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Feminin being handed out.

Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Rodri are widely regarded as favourites for the men’s award in a year where it’s incredibly likely a first-time winner will be crowned after Messi and Ronaldo won 13 of the previous 15 awards.

Vinicius Jr's Stellar Season

After winning LaLiga and the Champions League, Vinicius and Bellingham share a common advantage over Rodri, who is a surprise contender given his position as a defensive midfielder. Vinicius racked up 21 goals and nine assists across La Liga and the Champions League, while Bellingham enjoyed a stunning debut season at the Bernabeu, including a number of decisive late winners to keep Madrid in the hunt for silverware.

Bellingham's Rise to Prominence

While Bellingham struggled for consistent form during England’s run to the final of Euro 2024, he still produced two clutch moments of quality to save Gareth Southgate’s side from embarrassment. Bellingham’s header in the 1-0 win over Serbia paved over some obvious cracks in the Three Lions’ first game. His last-second bicycle kick sent the round of 16 tie with Slovenia to extra time, before England won it through Harry Kane in the extra period.

Vinicius scored two as Brazil slipped out of Copa America at the first knockout hurdle, leading many to suspect Bellingham might topple him in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

Rodri's Unsung Heroism

Rodri’s claim is perhaps quieter, albeit no less deserved. Few players are as important to their club and country as he is. Whether it’s for Manchester City or Spain, the central midfielder’s ability to dictate matches is unrivalled. He’s a hard worker, physically strong with terrific vision and natural leadership skills. Rodri might not have the highlight reel in terms of goals, but his reading of situations deserves to be celebrated as feverishly.

Bonmati Leads the Charge

The female prize, named the Ballon d’Or Feminin, was first awarded in 2018. Norway’s Ada Hegerberg won the first award, with Megan Rapinoe following in her footsteps before Alexia Putellas became the first woman to win the prize back-to-back.

Aitana Bonmati, Putellas’ Barcelona and Spain colleague, claimed the award last year after a trophy-laden season that culminated with the World Cup. Bonmati is expected to join Putellas as two-time winner after 26 goals and 18 assists en route to winning the Champions League, three domestic trophies and the Nations League.

Salma Paralluelo's Breakout Performance

The 26-year-old has emerged as the leading player in a Spanish generation that is full of world-class quality. Indeed, Salma Paralluelo will be one of Bonmati’s closest challengers at just 20 years old after an incredible 38 goals and 12 assists. The flying forward will likely come up short this time, but has the skill and consistency to seriously challenge across many years. Her partnership with Bonmati, who often feeds defence-splitting passes into Paralluelo’s runs, continues to pay dividends for two of the best women’s teams ever.

The Ballon d'Or's Legacy

The upcoming ceremony will take place today - Monday, 28 October - and is the 68th edition after being established in 1956. It will start at 7pm in the UK. The ceremony will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet, located in Paris, France.

The Ballon d’Or award was introduced in 1956 by a magazine named France Football. The award is given to the standout footballer of the preceding season. The winner of the award is declared by a panel of journalists who are selected on the basis of the top 100 teams as per the FIFA rankings. Each journalist then shortlists 10 players who are eventually ranked on the basis of points.

Since 2018, the Ballon d’Or Feminin (Women’s Ballon d’Or) has also been awarded. Other awards that are given away include the Best Young Footballer award, the Gerd Muller Trophy (Award for most goals by a player) and Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper Award). Awards for the best club (Both men and women) as well as the best coach (Both men and women) are also presented.

A Night of Spectacle

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony is a highly anticipated event, and the world is watching to see who will be crowned the best in the world. The ceremony will be a night of celebration, with many of the biggest stars in the sport in attendance. It will be interesting to see who takes home the coveted Ballon d’Or trophy this year, as well as other prizes, and how the legacy of this historic event will continue to unfold.

Looking Forward

The 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony is a testament to the global reach and impact of the sport. It's a night where the best players in the world are recognized and celebrated. This year, the ceremony promises to be a memorable one, with a number of deserving candidates vying for top honors. The future of soccer is bright, and the Ballon d'Or is a key part of celebrating the evolution of the game. As the world watches, the stage is set for another chapter in the rich history of the Ballon d'Or.