The list of nominees for the prestigious prize will be unveiled on August 7, with the ceremony for Monday 22 September in the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Every year presented by France football since 1956, the Ballon d'Or is the most prominent individual honor that a football player can receive. The magazine set up on Thursday 7 August as the date to reveal the list of nominees, while the award ceremony will take place in the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday 22 September. This will be the 69th edition of the prize.
Which categories will be presented on the gala next to the balloon d'Or of the men and women?
UEFA has already announced on its official website, the eleven categories of prizes that are awarded during the ceremony:
• Men's Ballon d'Or
• Ladies balloon d'Or
• KOPA trophy for men (best young player)
• Kopa -Trophy for Women (Dear Young Player)
• Yashin trophy for men (best keeper)
• Yashin trophy for women (best keeper)
• Gerd Müller Trophy for men (top scorer for club/country)
• Ladies Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer for club/country)
• Johan Cruyff Trophy for men (best coach at club or national team level)
• Ladies Johan Cruyff Trophy (best coach at club or national team level)
• Award of Men's Club of the Year
• Women's Club of the Year Award
• Sócrates Award (recognition of social and humanitarian causes)
Main contenders for men Ballon d'Or:
In a season in which FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have fallen throughout Europe, both in terms of football, the list of nominees will be filled with players from both clubs. Names such as Pedri, Vitinha, Raphinha, Doué, Lewandowski and Mbappé are tipped to appear, with the front runners for the price that it is assumed to be Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé. The debate about the winner was intensified after the PSG of Luis Enrique was defeated 3-0 by Chelsea in the final of the club World Cup. In the meantime, the emphatic victory of Chelsea has also strengthened Cole Palmer's candidacy, after he had scored twice in the final.
Most important contenders for the ladies balloon d'Or:
The Barcelona ladies team has again dominated the season and won Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup. As a result, Aitana Bolmatí is a strong favorite to retain her title. Teammates Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen will probably also be contrary, alongside Arsenal's European champions Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey. However, this summer's international tournaments – including the euros, Copa América and Africa Cup of Nations – is expected to play a decisive role in determining the winner.
Football fans now only have two months to wait before he finds out who will take the coveted prize home on a gala that promises high expectations – and where Lamine Yamal could be crowned the youngest balloon d'Or winner in history.