Mon Oct 28 00:27:30 UTC 2024: ## Ballon d’Or 2024: A New Era Begins
The prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place on October 29th in Paris, marking a new chapter in football history. For the first time in years, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will be in contention for the award, leaving the door open for a new generation of stars to claim the coveted title.
Vinicius Junior, who led Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double, is the current frontrunner. However, his teammate Jude Bellingham, alongside Erling Haaland and Rodri, all pose serious challenges.
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati is the favorite to retain her title, but faces stiff competition from Salma Paralluelo and Ada Hegerberg.
The ceremony will be held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and will begin at 1:15 am IST on Tuesday, October 29th. Fans can watch the live stream on the SonyLIV application and website or catch it live on Sony Sports Network channels.
This year’s Ballon d’Or is sure to be a thrilling event, with a fresh crop of talent vying for the coveted prize. The absence of Messi and Ronaldo opens up a new era for football, and the world will be watching to see who emerges as the best player in the world.