For the first time in 20 editions of the men’s Ballon d’Or award, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi are on the shortlist. This marks the end of their two-decade dominance of the golden ball. The men’s club of the year shortlist includes Leverkusen, Dortmund, Girona, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, while the women’s club of the year shortlist features Barcelona, Chelsea, Lyon, NJ/NY Gotham, and Paris Saint-Germain. Men’s and women’s coach of the year nominees have also been announced.
Some of the prizes for players include the Kopa Trophy for best young player and the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper. The men’s live ranking for the top 30 shortlist features players like Phil Foden, Florian Wirtz, and Ademola Lookman. Roma has two players on the shortlist, although they finished at the bottom.
There are notable names missing from the women’s top 30 list, sparking questions about the equality of the women’s game in the Ballon d’Or awards. The ceremony will also not award a Kopa or Yashin award to a female player. The baubles being handed out at the ceremony include the Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or, the Kopa Trophy, the Yashin Trophy, the Gerd Müller Trophy, and awards for the top clubs and coaches of the year.
Ahead of the ceremony in Paris, speculation is rife about the potential winners, with Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior and Manchester City’s Rodri among the favourites. The women’s award is also highly anticipated, with Aitana Bonmatí favored to retain her crown. Barcelona players feature prominently in the women’s award shortlist, with Caroline Graham Hansen and Mariona Caldentey in contention.
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