The 68th Ballon d’Or gala takes place this Monday, October 28 at the Theater du Châtelet in Paris, France. The trophy for best player of the year has big favorites, but the name that has been most talked about to win it is the Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian footballer won the League and the Champions League with the white club, being the MVP of the highest European competition. Other names to highlight are Jude Bellingham (with the same titles as Vinicius and finalist of the last Euro2024), the player of the Manchester City Rodri Hernandez —winner of the Premier League and the European Championship with Spain— and Carvajal who, in addition to winning team titles, was the best player in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. Apart from the two Spaniards mentioned, there are four other nominees: Alejandro Grimaldo, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams.

In the female category, five Spaniards aspire to the award – Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Salma Paralluelo, Patri Guijarro, Mariona Caldentey -, although the favorites are Bonmatí and the Norwegian Barcelona player Caroline Graham Hansen. The Yashin Trophy (given to the best goalkeeper) is very close. He Athletic’s Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón He is among the 10 candidates to win the award. Other nominees with options are the Ukrainian goalkeeper of Madrid Lunin, the Back Martínez, Mamardashvili from Valencia or Donnarumma.

In the coaches category, three Spaniards are nominated: Pep Guardiola, Xabi Alonso and Luis de la Fuente. The other three are Ancelotti, Gasperini (Atalanta) and Scaloni. Among the favorites are Alonso (won the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal with Leverkusen), De la Fuente (won Euro2024 with the national team) and Ancelotti (winner of the League and Champions League).

Schedule and where to see the Ballon d’Or gala

The 2024 Ballon d’Or gala can be followed live on Movistar+ starting at 8:45 p.m.