Organisers of the Ballon d’Or have introduced a major change to the way football’s most prestigious individual award is handed out in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year’s controversy involving Real Madrid.
The annual ceremony takes place tonight in Paris, where the game’s biggest stars will gather for the presentation of the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or trophies, as well as the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy and manager of the year award.
But according to Spanish outlet Marca, one significant alteration has been made: winners will no longer be informed in advance.
The change comes after the drama that overshadowed last year’s event, when Real Madrid discovered on the morning of the ceremony that Vinicius Junior had lost out to Manchester City’s Rodri.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The club hierarchy reportedly disagreed with the decision so strongly that they cancelled their planned trip to Paris, with players and executives boycotting the event altogether.
Organisers are now keen to avoid a repeat of that embarrassment.
By keeping the result secret until the winner’s name is announced on stage, the Ballon d’Or aims to maintain suspense and ensure all nominees attend regardless of the outcome.
Organisers of the Ballon d’Or have introduced a major change to the way football’s most prestigious individual award is handed out in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year’s controversy involving Real Madrid
|GETTY
This year’s race for the men’s prize appears to be one of the most open in recent memory.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele is considered the favourite after a sensational season in which he scored 35 goals, provided 16 assists and helped PSG sweep to the Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles.
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal is also a leading contender after a breakthrough season in La Liga, while Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been tipped for the award following his record-breaking campaign in the Premier League.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Vinicius Jr lost out on the Ballon d'Or award to Rodri last year, much to the anger and frustration of Real Madrid
| GETTYDespite the organisers’ attempts to keep the outcome secret, reports in France on Monday claimed that Dembélé had already been “leaked” as the winner — although Ballon d’Or officials insist no player has been officially informed.
The other categories also promise intrigue.
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is among the frontrunners for the Yashin Trophy, having helped the Ligue 1 titans clean up last term.
His former manager, Luis Enrique, is favourite to take the manager of the year award after guiding the French champions to a historic quadruple.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
PSG star Ousmane Dembele has been nothing short of sensational over the past 12 months and is the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or tonight
| PAThe Kopa Trophy for best young player looks set to be a close contest between Yamal and PSG’s teenage sensation Desire Doue.
Rodri, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, isn't in contention for the prize this year.
That's because the Manchester City midfielder was plagued by injuries last term, having suffered an ACL problem during a match involving Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
With no clear consensus winner and the new policy in place, tonight’s ceremony is expected to deliver genuine suspense — and perhaps a few surprises — as football’s most coveted individual honours are revealed.