The 2024 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, celebrating the world’s top male and female soccer players, will be held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday. This prestigious occasion, now in its 68th year, has been organized by France Football since 1956. The Ballon d’Or is awarded based on selections made by an international jury of journalists who each create a top-10 player list. Points are allocated from 15 down to one, with the player earning the highest points winning the Ballon d’Or.
Current champions Lionel Messi from Inter Miami and Aitana Bonmati from Barcelona hold the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or titles, respectively. However, Messi is not on this year’s shortlist, meaning he will not compete for his tenth Ballon d’Or. Bonmati, on the other hand, is in the running to defend her title. If she wins again, it will extend Barcelona’s dominance, following teammate Alexia Putellas’ back-to-back victories in recent years.
Additional awards presented at the Ballon d’Or event include the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21—previously given to stars like Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham—and the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, currently held by Emi Martinez of Aston Villa.
