Fans of football are expected to focus on the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony, where the winners of some of the most prestigious individual and team awards in world football will be announced. The list of candidates for the men’s main award includes well-known names such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and Ousmane Dembélé.
In addition to the awards for the best male and female footballer of the year, the ceremony will also present awards for the best coaches, goalkeepers, young talents, top scorers and best clubs in men’s and women’s football.
Men’s Ballon d’Or
The list of candidates for the men’s main award includes 30 footballers, among them some of the biggest names in international football.
The nominees are Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Vinícius Júnior, Harry Kane and Rodri.
The list also includes Bruno Fernandes, Luis Díaz, Achraf Hakimi, Lautaro Martínez, Michael Olise, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Sadio Mané, Declan Rice, Vitinha, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Marquinhos, Fabián Ruiz, Ferran Torres, Pau Torres, Marc Cucurella, Willian Pacho and Julián Quiñones.
Women’s Ballon d’Or
The race for the women’s Ballon d’Or also includes a broad list of nominees, with players who have stood out on the international stage.
Among the nominees are Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen, Mariona Caldentey, Khadija Shaw, Tabitha Chawinga, Vivianne Miedema and Melchie Dumornay.
The full list includes:
Selma Bacha, Barbara Banda, Clara Bühl, Esmee Brugts, Mariona Caldentey, Scarlett Camberos, Kirsten Casparij, Tabitha Chawinga, Kata Kól, Melchie Dumornay, Caroline Graham Hansen, Alex Greenwood, Patri Guijarro, Pernille Harder, Yui Hasegawa, Rose Lavelle, Mapi León, Lorena, Melvine Malard, Manaka Matsukubo, Vivianne Miedema, Iëa Bayor, Claudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Wendie Renard, Alessia Russo, Khadija Shaw, Momoko Tanikawa, Caroline Weir and Tessa Wullaert.
Yashin Trophy
The Yashin Trophy, which honours the best goalkeeper, includes several well-known names from European and international football.
Among the candidates are Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez, David Raya, Unai Simón, Yassine Bounou, Gregor Kobel, Édouard Mendy and Matvey Safonov.
The list also includes Juan García and a name given in the published material as “Vojinica”, whose identity needs to be verified.
In the category of best women’s goalkeepers, the nominees are Ann-Katrin Berger, Kata Kól, Hannah Hampton, Lorena and Ayaka Yamashita.
Kopa Trophy
The Kopa Trophy, which honours the best young player, includes a group of talented players, among them Lamine Yamal and Warren Zaïre-Emery.
The candidates also include Kerim Alajbegovic, Pau Cubarsí, Jan Diomande, Linart Karl, Eli Junior Kroupi and Johan Manzambi.
This category aims to recognise young talents who have stood out with their performances and are considered among the promising names in world football.
Best coach
The prize for the best men’s coach also promises strong competition. The candidates include Mikel Arteta of Arsenal, Luis de la Fuente of the Spain national team, Unai Emery of Aston Villa, Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain and Vincent Kompany of Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, the nominees for the best women’s coach are Jonatan Giráldez of Olympique Lyon, André of Manchester City, Nils Nielsen of the Japan national team, Pere Romeu of Barcelona and Elena Sadiq, who is listed in the published material with Celtic/BK Häcken.
Best clubs, another prestigious category
The ceremony will also honour the best clubs of the year, in both men’s and women’s football.
For the best men’s club, the nominees are Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain.
In the women’s category, the candidates are Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Olympique Lyon.
In addition to these awards, the Gerd Müller Trophy for the best striker and other individual awards will also be presented during the ceremony.