Ballon d’Or

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      Ballon d’Or 2022: Live stream, UK start time, TV channel, nominees CONFIRMED for prestigious award ceremony

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      THERE’S no better individual footballing award to win other than the Ballon d’Or – and it will be going into someone’s trophy cabinet TONIGHT.Argentinian legend Lionel Messi edged Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski to secure the prestigious award in 2021.
      Lionel Messi secured his seventh Ballon d’Or in 2021Credit: Reuters
      The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the best player in the worldCredit: Getty
      But the Paris Saint-Germain magician failed to make the shortlist this time around, courtesy of an underwhelming debut season in France.
      And so did Brazilian superstar Neymar who wasn’t afraid to hit out at his critics.
      However, there are still a whole host of names in the 30-man list worthy of being crowned with such an honourable prize.
      SunSport has everything you need to know about the Ballon d’Or 2022.
      When is the Ballon d’Or award ceremony?
      The 66th edition of the Ballon d’Or is set to take place TONIGHT – Monday, October 17.
      The event will get underway from 7.30pm UK time.
      Read More on Ballon d’Or
      Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France is the allocated arena for this intriguing event and it can host 2,010 spectators.
      There will be a slight twist as the winner will be chosen based on performances over a season as opposed to a calendar year.
      How can I watch the Ballon d’Or award ceremony?
      Viewers in the UK can stream the entire action live via the Eurosport website or the Eurosport app.
      And the who will also be live to watch for free on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel.
      Most read in Football
      Who are the Ballon d’Or nominees?
      The nominees were revealed by France Football on Friday, August 12 2022.
      Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema have all been shortlisted.
      Karim Benzema is favourite to clinch the Ballon d’Or 2022Credit: Getty
      But Lionel Messi failed to make the 30-man cut for the first time in over a decade.

      Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
      Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
      Joao Cancelo – Manchester City
      Casemiro – Manchester United (formerly Real Madrid)
      Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid
      Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
      Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City
      Luis Diaz – Liverpool (formerly Porto)
      Fabinho – Liverpool
      Phil Foden – Manchester City
      Erling Haaland – Manchester City (formerly Borussia Dortmund)
      Sebastien Haller – Borussia Dortmund (formerly Ajax)
      Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur
      Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
      Rafael Leao – AC Milan
      Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona (formerly Bayern Munich)
      Riyad Mahrez – Manchester City
      Mike Maignan – AC Milan
      Sadio Mane – Bayern Munich (formerly Liverpool)
      Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain
      Luka Modric – Real Madrid
      Christopher Nkunku – RB Leipzig
      Darwin Nunez – Liverpool (formerly Benfica)
      Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid (formerly Chelsea)
      Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
      Bernardo Silva – Manchester City
      Son Heung-min – Tottenham Hotspur
      Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
      Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
      Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus (formerly Fiorentina)

      Who has won the most Ballon d’0r awards?
      Lionel Messi has been crowned with the prestigious award on SEVEN occasions which makes him the current record holder.
      The Argentinian icon is two ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo who has been stuck on five since 2017.
      Luka Modric won the Ballon d’Or in 2018Credit: EPA
      Luka Modric is the only other player currently still playing to have secured the Ballon d’Or.
      What are the odds?
      Betfair have Karim Benzema as favourite for the prestigious trophy.
      Here is a list of contenders, courtesy of the bookmaker.

      Karim Benzema – 1/33
      Erling Haaland – 12/1
      Kylian Mbappe – 16/1
      Mo Salah – 25/1
      Virgil van Dijk – 25/1
      Robert Lewandowski – 33/1
      Kevin de Bruyne – 33/1
      Harry Kane – 33/1
      Vinicius Jr – 33/1
      Sadio Mane 33/1
      Cristiano Ronaldo – 40/1
      Trent Alexander-Arnold – 40/1
      Luis Diaz – 40/1
      Phil Foden – 66/1
      Joshua Kimmich – 100/1
      Dusan Vlahovic – 125/1
      Bernardo Silva – 150/1
      Riyad Mahrez – 150/1
      Joao Cancelo 250/1 More

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      Ballon d’Or 2022 live stream FREE – how to watch tonight’s awards ceremony, UK start time, odds

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      THE BALLON D’Or 2022 is here live and direct TONIGHT!World football is reaching fever pitch for the announcement of the biggest individual prize in the game, and there is a way to watch it all unfold for FREE tonight.
      The Ballon d’Or trophy will be decided tonight
      Karim Benzema is the BIG favourite
      There will be a new twist as the winner will be chosen based on performances over a season as opposed to the calendar year.
      And Karim Benzema is the bookies favourite to win the prize by some distance.
      The Real Madrid superstar has odds as short as 1/33 to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time.
      Benzema finished the 2021-22 season with an incredible 44 goals in 46 games, and a further 15 assists to boot.
      He guided Real Madrid to the Spanish league title and the Champions League, which was their first since Ronaldo’s departure in 2018.
      Read more Ballon d’Or
      When is the Ballon d’Or 2022?
      The Ballon d’Or 2022 takes place on Monday, October 2022.
      It will start from 7.30pm UK time.
      What live stream is the Ballon d’Or on?
      You can watch all of the awards ceremony live on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel.
      Who are the nominees?

      Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
      Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
      Joao Cancelo – Manchester City
      Casemiro – Manchester United (formerly Real Madrid)
      Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid
      Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
      Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City
      Luis Diaz – Liverpool (formerly Porto)
      Fabinho – Liverpool
      Phil Foden – Manchester City
      Erling Haaland – Manchester City (formerly Borussia Dortmund)
      Sebastien Haller – Borussia Dortmund (formerly Ajax)
      Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur
      Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
      Rafael Leao – AC Milan
      Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona (formerly Bayern Munich)
      Riyad Mahrez – Manchester City
      Mike Maignan – AC Milan
      Sadio Mane – Bayern Munich (formerly Liverpool)
      Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain
      Luka Modric – Real Madrid
      Christopher Nkunku – RB Leipzig
      Darwin Nunez – Liverpool (formerly Benfica)
      Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid (formerly Chelsea)
      Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
      Bernardo Silva – Manchester City
      Son Heung-min – Tottenham Hotspur
      Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
      Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
      Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus (formerly Fiorentina)

      What are the odds?
      Betfair have Karim Benzema as favourite for the prestigious trophy.
      Here is a list of contenders, courtesy of the bookmaker.

      Karim Benzema – 1/33
      Erling Haaland – 12/1
      Kylian Mbappe – 16/1
      Mo Salah – 25/1
      Virgil van Dijk – 25/1
      Robert Lewandowski – 33/1
      Kevin de Bruyne – 33/1
      Harry Kane – 33/1
      Vinicius Jr – 33/1
      Sadio Mane 33/1
      Cristiano Ronaldo – 40/1
      Trent Alexander-Arnold – 40/1
      Luis Diaz – 40/1
      Phil Foden – 66/1
      Joshua Kimmich – 100/1
      Dusan Vlahovic – 125/1
      Bernardo Silva – 150/1
      Riyad Mahrez – 150/1
      Joao Cancelo 250/1

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      Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo set to attend Ballon d’Or ceremony for first time in five years in huge hint at winner

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO is set to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony for the first time in five years.And that could be a major hint at who the 2022 winner may be.
      Cristiano Ronaldo has won five Ballons d’Or but his last one came in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors
      Ronaldo is a five-time winner of the prestigious France Football award – given to the best player in the world for the previous season.
      The last time he headed to the gala was way back in 2017… the last time he was got his hands on the iconic gold trophy.
      According to Le Parisien via Record, Ronaldo plans to be there in person at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday.
      However, the report adds grumpy Kylian Mbappe may snub the evening – despite it taking place just 22 minutes’ drive along the north bank of the River Seine in France’s capital.
      READ MORE ON RONALDO
      In 2017, Ronaldo racked up a whopping 946 points, well clear of Lionel Messi in second on 670.
      And it marked a staggering run of four Ballons d’Or in five years for the Portuguese superstar following his debut win in 2008.
      But he refused to attend in 2018 when he was pipped by Luka Modric and then again 12 months later as Messi finished ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Ronaldo.
      The 2020 award was controversially scrapped – robbing Robert Lewandowski of his maiden gong – and then Ronaldo again avoided the 2021 ceremony.
      Most read in Football
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      Last year, he finished sixth – he has not finished lower since 2006.
      And despite reports suggesting he will make the trip to Paris next week, he is not expected to add a sixth title.
      Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 38 appearances in his comeback season at Manchester United but did not win a trophy.
      Karim Benzema is the hot favourite after his 44 goals in 46 games to fire Real Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory.
      He would be the first Frenchman to claim the Ballon d’Or since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
      Lionel Messi failed to make the 30-player shortlist of candidates.
      Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold are the three English representatives.
      Ronaldo posed with his individual awards after collecting No5Credit: AFP
      Lionel Messi won his seventh Ballon d’Or in 2021Credit: AP More

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      Has Poland’s Robert Lewandowski won the Ballon d’Or?

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      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI will go down as one of the greatest players this generation.The Poland international has been one of the most prolific scorers in European football over the last 12 years, joining Borussia Dortmund in 2010, where he netted 103 goals in 187 appearances.
      Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski gives instructions during the Champions League group C soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)Credit: AP
      Joining league rivals Bayern Munich, Lewandowski cemented his place as one of the greatest players of his generation as he netted an incredible 344 goals in 375 matches in Munich.
      However, this summer saw the end to his spell in the Bundesliga as Lewandowski sought a new challenge, joining Barcelona in La Liga.
      Read More Football
      Has Robert Lewandowski won the Ballon d’Or?
      Last season, Lewandowski finished as runner up in the Ballon d’Or, with Lionel Messi claiming his 7th award ahead of the Poland star.
      This was the closest that Lewandowski has come to receiving the award.
      Robert Lewandowski has won FIFA’s Best Player award in recent seasonsCredit: AFP
      However, he was heavily tipped to win the Ballon d’Or in 2020, but the ceremony was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a winner was never named.
      Despite being snubbed for the Ballon d’Or, Lewandowski was recognised by FIFA as he received the ‘Best Player’ award in consecutive seasons, with the ceremony taking place in January each year.
      Lewandowski has had his say on not winning the Ballon d’Or, stating that he’d prefer to win the FIFA award instead.
      Most read in Football
      “I’ve been thinking about these two awards lately: FIFA Best Player and the Ballon d’Or,” he said.
      “I’ve come to the conclusion that the FIFA award does matter more. Only journalists vote in the latter – there’s no clear verification.”
      Lewandowski is unlikely to win the Ballon d’Or in his career now, with Karim Benzema the clear favourite for the 2022 accolade. More

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      Thibaut Courtois opens up on his Ballon d’Or chances after Real Madrid goalkeeper’s heroics in Champions League final

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      THIBAUT COURTOIS has little hope of winning the Ballon d’Or due to it being ‘impossible’ to win for a goalkeeper. The Real Madrid shot-stopper pulled out a number of amazing saves to help Madrid lift the Champions League against Liverpool on Saturday.
      Courtois lifts the Champions League for the first time in his careerCredit: Getty
      However, despite his man-of-the-match performance, Courtois revealed he believed he had no chance of winning a Ballon d’Or – citing Karim Benzema as one of the reasons it wouldn’t be possible.
      He said to Tuttomercato: “It is impossible for a goalkeeper to win it, even more so if he plays in a team with Benzema.
      “I can go far, but it is difficult to win this trophy.
      “For me, what matters is the fact that when I returned to the locker room, all my teammates were screaming my name. This is worth more than personal recognition.”
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Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}COURT OUT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Courtois inspired into CL heroics after being upset by top ten keepers omission
      Historically speaking, Courtois is quite accurate in his assessment.
      The only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or award was Lev Yashin in 1963, while more recently Bayern Munich sweeper-keeper Manuel Neuer came third in 2014.
      Benzema himself has also been in inspired form this season, netting 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 games, including 10 goals in seven games during the knockout stages of the Champions League.
      But one thing which is for certain is without Courtois’ heroics the LaLiga champions would not have earned their 14th Champions League trophy.
      The former Chelsea goalkeeper made nine saves in the final to deny Liverpool a breakthrough – the most since records began in 2003/04.
      The 30-year-old also broke the record for most saves across a single Champions League campaign with 59.
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      This all came as Liverpool mustered an incredible 24 shots – the most a team has had without scoring in a final.
      Mohamed Salah’s six shot’s on target were also the most made by a single player in the final since records began (2003/04).
      All these accolades and figures only serve to further highlight Courtois’ importance to the outcome of the final.
      It also gives weight to his argument that he isn’t given enough respect, after an English magazine published a list of the top 10 goalkeepers in the world which omitted Courtois.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}WORDS MATTER .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}I’m a family coach – trick to great relationships with kids is a simple word
      Vinicius Junior’s second-half strike ultimately won the game for Madrid as he snuck in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold for a far-post tap-in from Federico Valverde’s driven cross.
      The goal – paired with Courtois heroics – won Madrid their 14th Champions League overall and their fifth in the last nine seasons. More

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      in Soccer

      Neymar shares list of his trophies in furious response to ex-Liverpool star Aurelio for ‘talking s***’ about Ballon d’Or

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      NEYMAR hit back at Fabio Aurelio after the former Liverpool star questioned the Brazilian’s failure to win the Ballon d’Or.Aurelio said it feels wrong that Neymar has failed to win football’s biggest award.
      Neymar was not happy with Fabio Aurelio’s criticismCredit: AFP
      Neymar laughed at Aurelio after the former defender questioned why he has failed to win the Ballon d’OrCredit: Instagram @neymarjr
      Neymar then shared a list of all the team and individual trophies he has wonCredit: Instagram @neymarjr
      He even said he would be disappointed if he was Neymar, prompting an emotional response from the Paris Saint-Germain star.
      He posted a video on social media saying: “I’m sick of these former players who only open their mouths to talk s***.
      “Five minutes of interview and he just started talking about the lives of others. If you want to criticise, criticise.
      “But talking bulls*** like that is not possible.”
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      Neymar then took to Instagram to shared a list of all the trophies he has won in his career.
      The list showed both individual awards as well as the silverware he has won with PSG, Barcelona and Brazil.
      Alongside a screenshot of his career success Neymar wrote a caption saying: “I’m really disappointed wow. And I haven’t even put it all yet.”
      Aurelio suggested Neymar has not lived up to his ability and hinted at distractions off the pitch preventing the forward reaching his potential.
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      In an interview with GOAL he said: “I always say that I would be very disappointed if I was him.
      “The ambitions he has, and for the quality and talent he has, the fact that he has never won a Ballon d’Or feels wrong.
      “He has all the conditions to do it, but I don’t know what has happened. Maybe some things are more important to him than the game, I don’t know?
      “You see [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi, they were there at the top level for 10 or 15 years, and you never heard about problems away from the pitch, but Neymar is always involved in things like this.
      “He needs to stay away from those things, because he is capable of amazing things. Maybe now, the age he is, if you don’t look after yourself, it can come back and haunt you.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘They should be engraving his name’ – Ferdinand says Karim Benzema is a shoo-in for Ballon d’Or after Chelsea hat-trick

      by

      FORMER Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed Karim Benzema should be the favourite for the Ballon d’Or, insisting he is ‘the best No9 on the planet’.Ferdinand, who was covering last night’s quarter-final tie between Chelsea and Real Madrid for BT Sport, was left in awe at the 34-year-old’s performance.
      Benzema was far too good for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last nightCredit: Getty
      He said: “He is phenomenal, he is impacting the game in so many different areas, not just goals, assists, link-up play and slowing the game down.
      “That sounds like a playmaker, but that’s a No9 that has scored 37 goals.”
      The France international was in sparkling form again last night, following up his hat-trick against PSG in the last round with another three goals at Stamford Bridge.
      And while a shocking mistake from Edouard Mendy gifted his final goal, Benzema’s first-half brace was outstanding, with two very different but equally brilliant headers.
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      The instinctive goals he provided at Stamford Bridge are just another arrow in the Frenchman’s bow, who has developed into Madrid’s most valuable asset since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Ferdinand claimed: “He is the talisman, he is the leader now, and he has stepped out of the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      “An absolute complete forward and it was a masterclass from him.”
      Since 2008, only Luka Modric has once denied either Ronaldo or Lionel Messi from winning the Ballon d’Or, following his standout year for club and country in 2018.
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      However, with both falling short of their best this campaign, the door is open for a new name on the trophy.
      Last year’s runner up Robert Lewandowski has enjoyed another outstanding season with 45 goals in 39 games for Bayern Munich.
      Elsewhere, Benzema’s international teammate Kylian Mbappe has recovered from a slow opening to the campaign to dazzle for PSG in 2022.
      However, as Ferdinand says, 37 goals in 36 games, as well as single-handedly firing his side to runaway leader status in Spain and a potential Champions League semi-final make it difficult to look past Madrid’s No9. More

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      in Soccer

      Ballon d’Or to undergo revamp with FOUR major changes in judging after Lionel Messi’s controversial seventh win

      by

      FRANCE FOOTBALL have announced FOUR key major changes for the voting process in future Ballon d’Ors.Lionel Messi controversially collected the coveted trophy back in November for the seventh time.
      Lionel Messi controversially lifted the 2021 Ballon d’OrCredit: EPA
      The Barcelona legend and now Paris Saint-Germain forward pipped Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to the award.
      He received it after helping Barca to the Copa del Rey and Argentina to Copa America success.
      France Football also introduced the Ballon d’Or Feminin back in 2018.
      And the 2021 award went to Barcelona star Alexia Putellas.
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      Both awards – as well as the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 and the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper – are voted for captains, coaches and journalists.
      The Ballon d’Or has been running since 1956 – but now organisers have decided to make some changes.
      The changes will come into effect straight away starting with the 2022 accolade.
      And here, as per France Football, are the alterations:
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      A change from judging by years to by seasons: decisions will now be based on performances between the traditional season of August and July, rather than calendar years, which used to combine two half-campaigns.
      A change in who puts together the shortlists: Ballon d’Or ambassador Didier Drogba and the journalists who came closer to getting the last year’s results right will be involved in choosing the shortlisted candidates, which runs to 30 for the main award and 20 for the young player and goalkeeper trophy.
      A change in the number of people able to vote: last year saw representatives from 170 countries take part in the process, but from now on only the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings – and the top 50 for women’s football – will be able to vote.
      A slight tweak to the criteria: as it’s an individual award, voters are being instructed to focus on the players’ individual performances over collective achievements, with fair play and setting a good example also counting towards the overall weighting.

      It remains to be seen what the changes will mean and we are unlikely to see the difference until the process kicks into gear later this year. More