Ballon d’Or 2024: men’s and women’s award ceremonies – live updates

Ballon d’Or. Ballon d’Or! Ballon d’Or!!! … Ballon d’Or? Ballon d’Or?! Ballon d’Or??? The biggest night in football for those who refuse to accept that this is fundamentally a team sport, and that every player on earth (yes, even Cristiano Ronaldo) would swap it to win the World Cup, is here – but before the ceremony in Paris has even kicked off, there’s been big drama.

Ever since the moment that caused Rio Ferdinand to lose the run of himself, Real Madrid baller Vinícius Júnior has been the hot favourite to win the men’s award. On Monday, though, speculative reports that he could be pipped to the prize by Manchester City midfield maestro Rodri soon gathered serious momentum.

It is now thought that Real have thrown their collective toys from the pram, and will not be sending anyone to Paris for tonight’s big shindig. Rodri, on the other hand, is here on crutches, which may tell its own story. Or there may be another twist in the tale, with France Football’s countdown of the top 30 now under way.

The women’s award is also being dished out tonight, with Aitana Bonmatí the favourite to retain her crown and continue Barcelona’s dominance after Alexia Putellas won it in 2021 and 2022. Another Barça player, Caroline Graham Hansen, could be a contender alongside Mariona Caldentey, who left Catalonia to join Arsenal in the summer.