Ballon d’Or Awards LIVE: Start time and latest updates as Real Madrid ‘boycott ceremony’ with Rodri set to win

The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place in Paris tonight when the world’s best footballers gather at the Theatre du Chatelet for a night of awards and celebration.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham as well as Manchester City’s Rodri are being widely tipped as frontrunners for the men’s award in a year where neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have been nominated. According to reports, Real Madrid’s delegation cancelled their trip to Paris at the last minute, after “leaked” results of the Ballon d’Or showed Rodri had received the most votes.

The female prize, named the Ballon d’Or Feminin, was won by Spain and Barcelona forward Aitana Bonmati last year and she is the favourite to lift the trophy again and become a two-time winner after 26 goals and 18 assists en route to winning the Champions League, three domestic trophies and the Nations League.

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 of awards on an evening where legends of the game are celebrated.

Follow all the latest updates from the Ballon d’Or ceremony with our live blog below:

Ballon d’Or Awards

• The Ballon d’Or awards ceremony takes place tonight in Paris

• Man City’s Rodri the new favourite over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr for the men’s prize

• Barcelona superstar Aitana Bonmati tipped to win Ballon d’Or Feminin

• Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Rodri also nominated

• Lionesses' Lauren Hemp ranks 28th; Chelsea pair Nusken and Ramirez just outside top 20

• Cole Palmer in 25th place, with England teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka also outside top 20

• Lauren James (13th, Feminin award) and Phil Foden (11th, Men's) rank just outside top tens

Ballon d'Or LIVE

19:28 , Karl Matchett

Rumour has it Harry Kane will kick off the top ten countdown when it begins...not long now to get the ceremony underway!

Ballon d'Or LIVE

19:18 , Karl Matchett

How do you say “cheeky” in Spanish?

Ballon d'Or LIVE

19:03 , Karl Matchett

Dani Olmo, Joan Laporta, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi - the Barcelona contingent are present and correct in France.

Will their great domestic rivals show though?

Ballon d'Or LIVE

18:55 , Karl Matchett

Ballon d’Or royalty and no mistake!

Ballon d'Or LIVE

18:50

Toni Kroos does not care for your individual awards.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

18:40 , Karl Matchett

Now, officially we don’t know yet - we can’t see all those arriving. And the ceremony is due to get underway at 7.45pm - about an hour from now.

But the rumours and suggestions have been that Real Madrid have not travelled for the ceremony, amid the feeling that Vinicius Jr has been overlooked for the men’s award.

Whether that’s true we’ll wait and see - Rodri is his big challenger, of course.

Certain supposed ‘leaks’ on social media have the Brazilian forward still in top spot though so let’s not rush to any judgements just yet...

Ballon d'Or LIVE

18:32 , Karl Matchett

Plenty of notable arrivals now, in order:

Arsenal star Mariona Caldentey, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente, Georgia and soon-to-be Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and...err, well, flamboyant former striker Djibril Cisse.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

18:24 , Karl Matchett

A reminder of the placings so far for England’s contingent outside the top ten:

Men’s

Declan Rice 26th

Cole Palmer 25th

Bukayo Saka 21st

Phil Foden 11th

Women’s

Lauren Hemp 28th

Lucy Bronze 20th

Lauren James 13th

Ballon d'Or LIVE

18:18 , Karl Matchett

The expectant crowd awaits...

Ballon d'Or LIVE

18:06 , Karl Matchett

Plenty of arrivals now for tonight’s ceremony which is only a couple of hours away.

15th - Nico Williams, Athletic and Spain

14th - Ademola Lookman, Atalanta and Nigeria

13th - Dani Olmo, RB Leipzig/Barcelona and Spain

12th - Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen and Germany

11th - Phil Foden, Man City and England

Ballon d'Or LIVE

17:53 , Karl Matchett

Shall we guess...?

Ballon d'Or LIVE

17:45 , Karl Matchett

More men’s rankings have landed:

20th - Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter and Turkey

19th - Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway

18th - Emi Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina

17th - Fede Valverde, Real Madrid and Uruguay

16th - Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland

Ballon d'Or LIVE

17:30 , Karl Matchett

A full rundown of the previous men’s winners - will Rodri be joining them?

Ballon d'Or LIVE

17:24 , Karl Matchett

Ahhh, videos for the women’s side emerge! Bunny Shaw’s impact at Man City has been immense - she was so close to a WSL title last year too.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

17:17 , Karl Matchett

Plenty of big hitters at this stage in the Feminin award, including another of the Lionesses squad.

Barcelona’s Patri Guijarro just misses the top ten, ranking ahead of Chelsea’s Lauren James (13th) and Man City’s Bunny Shaw (15th).

Former winner Ada Hegerberg (14th) is also in this grouping - she won the first ever Feminin award of course.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

17:12 , Karl Matchett

Lucy Bronze in at No.20 in the Feminin award!

Another big campaign for the Lionesses full-back.

Gabi Portilho and Giulia Gwinn are just inside the top 20.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

17:05 , Karl Matchett

Toni Rudiger ranks at 22 and then it’s Arsenal star Bukayo Saka who just misses out on the top 20 this year, in at 21 after another stellar campaign with the Gunners.

Another brilliant goal at the weekend, too!

A defensive midfielder winning the Ballon d’Or?

17:00 , Karl Matchett

There has been one goalkeeper, Lev Yashin, and a trio of defenders, though Fabio Cannavaro was more of a stopper than the German midfielders, Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer, who were converted into sweepers. But there has never been a defensive midfielder. The Ballon d’Or is almost seven decades old and Rodri, the man who earned Manchester City their first Champions League, could be a history maker in another respect.

A trophy that had seemed the private property of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for a decade and a half may have an unlikely winner. Rodri ranks as second favourite, behind Vinicius Junior, for a prize he never imagined he might secure, despite suffering a season-ending knee injury last month.

But then why would he? The Ballon d’Or has tended to be reserved for forwards and flair players. His job description entails unselfishness. The defensive midfielder is constructed to allow others to get the glory. And yet the paradox of Rodri is that he has reached such a standard, achieved so much himself for his respective teams, that the spotlight has shone back onto him.

Richard Jolly on what Rodri winning would mean:

A defensive midfielder winning the Ballon d’Or? Why Rodri’s win would be historic

Ballon d'Or LIVE

16:50 , Karl Matchett

Aitana Bonmati is in the house!

The Barcelona icon won the Feminin award last year and is favourite to do so again this time around.

Alexander-Arnold sets Ballon d’Or goal

16:40 , Karl Matchett

He won’t be winning the award this year - Dani Carvajal and Ale Grimaldo are the only full-backs in the running - but Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has already set himself the goal of winning the Ballon d’Or in future.

“I want to be the first full-back to ever do it [win the award],” he told Sky Sports. “It’s only the morning after you retire that you’re able to look in the mirror and say, ‘I gave it everything I got’.

“It doesn’t matter how many trophies you win, or how many medals you’ve got. It matters what you give to the game and if you reach your full potential.

“[I want to be remembered as] a legend of football, someone who changed the game. That is the main thing that I have - ‘don’t play the game; change the game’. I want that legacy of being the greatest right-back to have played football.

“I have got to reach for the stars and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”

Ballon d'Or LIVE

16:35 , Karl Matchett

Two more Premier League stars: defensive duo William Saliba and Ruben Dias are next out.

Feels likely we’ll see those names again a year from now, given how the top flight is going.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

16:30 , Karl Matchett

An England men’s pair now: Arsenal’s Declan Rice is first up, placing 26th, and after his first full senior season it’s an incredible 25th for Cole Palmer.

Not a bad year for the Chelsea superstar, who went on to score in the Euro 2024 final of course.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

16:26 , Karl Matchett

On we go then with the first few men’s nominees and their placings:

Joint 29th are Artem Dovbyk of Girona last season and Mats Hummels of Dortmund last season - both now of Roma.

Alejandro Grimaldo places 28th after a stellar year with Bayer Leverkusen, then PSG’s Vitinha in 27th.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

16:24 , Karl Matchett

Well, on the back of that Wiegman comment about the awards taking place during a women’s international break, we can expect the Ballon d’Or organisers to get some further criticism here already and rightly so.

Those first ten female nominees have been grouped together, five in a single post - the first collection of men’s names coming through are individualised and with accompanying videos and so on.

Not quite the equity they seek to portray is it?

Sarina Wiegman ‘disappointed’ as Lionesses again unable to attend Ballon d’Or

16:20 , Karl Matchett

England manager Sarina Wiegman said it’s “really disappointing” that the Ballon d’Or is again clashing with the women’s international break, meaning nominated Lionesses players will not be able to attend the Paris ceremony tonight.

Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp have made the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Feminin, while Wiegman herself has been nominated for women’s coach of the year. Although James is injured, the Lionesses will be preparing for Tuesday night’s friendly against South Africa in Coventry while the Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place and neither Bronze or Hemp will be able to join the star-studded evening.

It will be similar for several other leading nations across Europe and Aitana Bonmati, the favourite to retain the Ballon d’Or Feminin, will be required to play for Spain in Italy on Tuesday evening.

Sarina Wiegman ‘disappointed’ as Lionesses again unable to attend Ballon d’Or

Ballon d'Or LIVE

16:16

Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nusken is 25th, Bayern Munich captain Glodis Perla Viggosdottir ranks 22nd and another Chelsea player is just outside the top 20 in Mayra Ramirez.

Ballon d'Or LIVE

16:13 , Karl Matchett

The full awards ceremony might be tonight, but the earliest placings are now starting to come through with a collection of men and women’s rankings being released.

Man City’s Yui Hasegawa places 26th; her club teammate and England’s own Lauren Hemp comes in 28th.

When is the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony? Start time, venue and more

16:00 , Karl Matchett

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.

Here’s everything you need to know:

When is the 2024 Ballon d’Or? Start time, venue and nominees

Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees

15:40 , Karl Matchett

• Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)

• Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Türkiye, Inter)

• Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)

• Rúben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)

• Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Dnipro / Girona / Roma)

• Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)

• Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)

• Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)

• Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)

• Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)

• Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)

• Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)

• Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)

• Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter )

• Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)

• Martin Ødegaard (Norway, Arsenal)

• Dani Olmo (Spain, Leipzig / Barcelona)

• Cole Palmer (England, Manchester City / Chelsea)

• Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)

• Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)

• Antonio Rüdiger (Germany, Real Madrid)

• Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)

• William Saliba (France, Arsenal)

• Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)

• Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)

• Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)

• Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)

• Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)

• Granit Xhaka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)

• Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)

Ballon d’Or Feminin nominees

15:20 , Karl Matchett

• Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona / Chelsea)

• Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Barcelona / Arsenal)

• Barbra Banda (Zambia, Shanghai RCB / Orlando Pride)

• Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Paris Saint-Germain / Olympique Lyonnais)

• Grace Geyoro (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

• Manuela Giugliano (Italy, AS Roma)

• Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)

• Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)

• Giulia Gwinn (Germany, Bayern München)

• Yui Hasegawa (Japan, Manchester City)

• Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Olympique Lyonnais)

• Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City)

• Lindsey Horan (USA, Olympique Lyonnais)

• Lauren James (England, Chelsea)

• Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

• Alyssa Naeher (USA, Chicago Red Stars)

• Sjoeke Nüsken (Germany, Chelsea)

• Ewa Pajor (Poland, VfL Wolfsburg / Barcelona)

• Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona)

• Gabi Portilho (Brazil, Corinthians)

• Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)

• Mayra Ramírez (Colombia, Levante / Chelsea)

• Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)

• Lea Schüller (Germany, Bayern München)

• Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)

• Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns)

• Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars)

• Tarciane (Brazil, Corinthians / Houston Dash)

• Glódís Viggósdóttir (Iceland, Bayern München)

What other prizes will be awarded on the night?

15:00 , Karl Matchett

This is known as the Ballon d’Or awards night but really that is just one of several being handed out.

Here’s the full rundown of what to expect:

• The Ballon d’Or

• The Ballon d’Or Feminin

• The Kopa Trophy (best player under 21 years of age)

• The Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper)

• The Men’s Club of the Year Trophy

• The Women’s Club of the Year Trophy

• The Men’s Coach of the Year Trophy

• The Women’s Coach of the Year Trophy

• The Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer of the previous season)

Sarina Wiegman ‘disappointed’ as Lionesses again unable to attend Ballon d’Or

14:45 , Jack Rathborn

England manager Sarina Wiegman said it’s “really disappointing” that the Ballon d’Or is again clashing with the women’s international break, meaning nominated Lionesses players will not be able to attend the Paris ceremony tonight.

Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp have made the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Feminin, while Wiegman herself has been nominated for women’s coach of the year. Although James is injured, the Lionesses will be preparing for Tuesday night’s friendly against South Africa in Coventry while the Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place and neither Bronze or Hemp will be able to join the star-studded evening.

It will be similar for several other leading nations across Europe and Aitana Bonmati, the favourite to retain the Ballon d’Or Feminin, will be required to play for Spain in Italy on Tuesday evening.

Sarina Wiegman ‘disappointed’ as Lionesses again unable to attend Ballon d’Or

A defensive midfielder winning the Ballon d’Or? Why Rodri’s win would be a historic moment

14:37 , Jack Rathborn

There has been one goalkeeper, Lev Yashin, and a trio of defenders, though Fabio Cannavaro was more of a stopper than the German midfielders, Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer, who were converted into sweepers. But there has never been a defensive midfielder. The Ballon d’Or is almost seven decades old and Rodri, the man who earned Manchester City their first Champions League, could be a history maker in another respect.

A trophy that had seemed the private property of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for a decade and a half may have an unlikely winner. Rodri ranks as second favourite, behind Vinicius Junior, for a prize he never imagined he might secure, despite suffering a season-ending knee injury last month.

But then why would he? The Ballon d’Or has tended to be reserved for forwards and flair players. His job description entails unselfishness. The defensive midfielder is constructed to allow others to get the glory. And yet the paradox of Rodri is that he has reached such a standard, achieved so much himself for his respective teams, that the spotlight has shone back onto him.

A defensive midfielder winning the Ballon d’Or? Why Rodri’s win would be historic

When is the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony? Start time, venue and full list of nominees

14:28 , Jack Rathborn

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.

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.

When is the 2024 Ballon d’Or? Start time, venue and nominees

Real Madrid choose not to travel to Ballon d’Or ceremony with Vinicius Jr destined to fall short?

14:25 , Jack Rathborn

Vinicius Jr will reportedly not travel to Paris for the ceremony tonight, reports Fabrizio Romano.

That same report confirms nobody from Real Madrid will attend the glamorous ceremony in Paris as internally the Spanish giants believe Vinicius Jr will not win the Ballon d’Or.

The top prize will go elsewhere, it seems, with Florentino Pérez, Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal all opting to stay at home.