Sports
2024 Ballon d’Or: All You Need To Know
Published
8 months agoon
By
Editor
The 2024 Ballon d’Or is fast approaching, with football’s brightest talents competing for the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade.
This year’s competition is particularly open, as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated the award for over a decade, are absent from the shortlist.
Messi, a record eight-time winner, and Ronaldo, with five wins, have not made the cut, setting the stage for a new name to claim the prize.
The PUNCH highlights all you need to know about this year’s ceremony.
When and Where Is the 2024 Ballon d’Or Ceremony?
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on Monday, 28th October, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The ceremony will mark the 68th edition of the award, with France Football continuing to manage the voting system alongside UEFA’s co-organisation this year.
READ ALSO: Osimhen, Oshoala Bag 2023 Ballon d’Or Nominations
Football fans can tune in to the live broadcast of the ceremony, which will begin at 19:00 GMT, and catch all the action as the winner is revealed.
The Favourites for the 2024 Ballon d’Or
This year’s Ballon d’Or race promises fierce competition. Vinicius Junior has emerged as the current frontrunner. The Brazilian forward was instrumental in Real Madrid’s success last season, including their Champions League victory. With his impressive performances, he has positioned himself as a strong candidate for the men’s award.
Another top contender is Rodri, who played a key role in Manchester City’s Premier League triumph and was named Player of the Tournament in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory. He joins the shortlist alongside his Real Madrid counterpart, Jude Bellingham, who also made a strong case for the award with consistent displays in midfield.
Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal is considered an outside chance, with the right-back playing a vital role in winning the Champions League, La Liga, and Euro 2024. While his victory might be a surprise, his achievements have earned him a spot among the nominees.
READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Messi, Haaland And Bonmati Lead Ballon d’Or Nominees
Who Will Win the Ballon d’Or Féminin 2024?
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmatí is heavily favoured to secure back-to-back wins for the Ballon d’Or Féminin. The Barcelona midfielder is considered the top candidate, building on her club and international success. Close behind her in the race are Caroline Graham Hansen, Bonmatí’s teammate at Barcelona, and Kadidiatou Diani of Lyon.
Kopa Trophy: Youth Stars in the Spotlight
The Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21, will also be presented during the ceremony. Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is widely expected to take home this honour, following his standout performances that helped Spain secure victory in the European Championship.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, both of Manchester United, are also among the 10-player shortlist for the youth award, but it would be a major upset if Yamal were not to win.
READ ALSO: 2023 Ballon d’Or: Ronaldo tips Messi To Win Award
Yashin Trophy: Best Goalkeeper Award
The 2024 Yashin Trophy will recognise the world’s top goalkeeper, with Emiliano Martínez among the favourites. The Aston Villa shot-stopper is in the running for successive wins, having helped his club achieve Champions League qualification and contributed to Argentina’s Copa América triumph this summer.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, another former winner, is also on the shortlist, though there is no place for Alisson or Thibaut Courtois this time around.
How to Watch the 2024 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Fans eager to watch the drama unfold can catch the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony live on L’Équipe’s YouTube channel, which will stream the event for free.
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Sports
Arsenal Release Names Of 20 Players To Be Offloaded This Summer [Full List]
Published
4 days agoon
June 4, 2025By
Editor
Arsenal release names of 20 players to be offloaded this summer [Full list]
Arsenal have released the names of 20 players set to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer following the expiration of their contracts on June 30.
The list includes individuals from the men’s senior team, under-21s, under-18s, and the women’s squad. These departures are part of the club’s annual end-of-season review and include players who have represented Arsenal across various levels.
Full List of Departing Players
READ ALSO: Full List Of Winners At 2025 Grammy Awards
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji
Reece Clairmont
Khayon Edwards
Jakai Fisher
Romari Forde
Teyah Goldie
Jimi Gower
Jack Henry-Francis
Lina Hurtig
Amanda Ilestedt
Jorginho
Max Kuczynski
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand
Ismail Oulad M’Hand
Neto
Brian Okonkwo
Elian Quesada-Thorn
Zacariah Shuaib
Raheem Sterling
Kieran Tierney
While many of the exits from the women’s team had been previously confirmed, this update provides a full overview of all players moving on.
Arsenal noted that the contracts of Chloe Kelly, Thomas Partey, and Michal Rosiak are due to expire in June 2025.
However, the club revealed that discussions are ongoing with these players, and further updates will be provided once decisions have been finalised.
Sports
Man City Agree Fee With AC Milan For Midfielder Reijnders
Published
4 days agoon
June 4, 2025By
Editor
Manchester City have agreed a deal with AC Milan for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders — their first major signing of the summer transfer window, reports said Wednesday.
The deposed Premier League champions are set to pay 55 million euros ($63 million) for the 26-year-old, who is understood to have agreed a five-year contract, with the formalities yet to be finalised.
City hope to complete the deal for the Netherlands international in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, which kicks off on June 14.
READ ALSO: Real Madrid Get New Manager
Reijnders joined AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 and scored 15 goals for the Italian club in 2024/25.
He will boost Pep Guardiola’s midfield options following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne.
The veteran Belgium international is not expected to be involved at the Club World Cup, with a move to Serie A champions Napoli looking increasingly likely.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic has been ruled out of the tournament after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury.
READ ALSO: EPL: Man City Confirm Kyle Walker’s Loan To AC Milan
Pep Guardiola’s team endured a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, finishing third in the Premier League and failing to win a trophy for the first time in eight years.
Last week City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak admitted the club “probably should have been more aggressive” in the transfer market ahead of the campaign.
Guardiola’s men will travel to the expanded 32-team Club World Cup as defending champions after winning the competition under its previous guise in Saudi Arabia two years ago.
They open their campaign against Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia on June 18.
The transfer window is open until June 10 to accommodate clubs wanting to sign players for the Club World Cup. It reopens on June 16.
Sports
Messi, Inter Miami Fight Back For 3-3 Draw At Philadelphia
Published
2 weeks agoon
May 25, 2025By
Editor
Inter Miami fought back from 3-1 down to grab a 3-3 draw at MLS Eastern Conference leaders the Philadelphia Union on Saturday thanks to a stoppage-time leveller from substitute Telasco Segovia.
Israeli forward Tai Baribo scored twice for Philadelphia to give them the two goal advantage but Lionel Messi gave Miami hope with an 87th-minute free-kick before Venezuelan Segovia dramatically grabbed the point.
Quinn Sullivan, called up this week by Mauricio Pochettino to the US national team squad, fired Philadelphia ahead in the seventh minute with a sweet strike after Miami’s defence had failed to close down.
Baribo made it 2-0 with an instinctive finish in the 44th minute as Miami’s defensive troubles continued.
READ ALSO:Transfer: Cristiano Ronaldo Could Join Messi In America
The visitors got a foothold in the game in the 60th minute when Noah Allen floated in a cross from the left which was met by a firm header from Argentine Tadeo Allende.
But Philadelphia restored their two-goal cushion when, from a long throw, Miami were unable to clear and Jean-Jacques Danley pounced on the loose ball and Baribo fired home.
Messi beat Union keeper Andrew Rick with a characteristically well driven free-kick for his sixth goal of the season three minutes from the end of regulation time to set up a frantic finale.
Jovan Lukic hit the bar from inside the box early in stoppage time as Philly looked to wrap-up the win but they were left crestfallen in the fifth minute of stoppage time when, after good work from Messi, Segovia pounced and blasted home.
READ ALSO:Messi’s Six World Cup Shirts Sell For $7.8m
There was still time for one more chance but an unmarked Danley, who had an outstanding game in midfield, somehow headed wide from close range.
While the result was a welcome sign of character from Miami, they remain with just one win in their past eight games in all competitions having conceded 23 goals.
Javier Mascherano’s side are sixth in the Eastern Conference and the former Barcelona and Argentina midfielder praised his team’s response.
“We showed character, personality. It was another difficult start of the game for us because in the beginning we conceded the goal… but the guys showed they want want to fight to get out of this situation,” said the Miami coach.
READ ALSO:Messi Not The GOAT – Spain Coach, De La Fuente
“We are in a bad trend, but with a lot of spirit to come back to be the team we were at the beginning of the season,” he added before demanding better from his back line.
“We cannot concede every single corner kick and every single throw in and give opponents opportunities to score… we need to be more focused in those situations,” Mascherano said.
USA forward Patrick Agyemang had scored twice for Dean Smith’s Charlotte but Malte Amundsen looked to have earned the Columbus Crew a point before Spaniard Pep Biel grabbed a 75th-minute winner for a 3-2 triumph.
READ ALSO:Why I No Longer Have Whatsapp Group With Messi, Neymar – Suarez
Mexican star Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano’s stoppage-time header earned San Diego a 2-1 victory over the winless defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy.
Former Arsenal and France striker Olivier Giroud’s 77th-minute goal earned Los Angeles FC a 2-2 draw at Montreal while Duncan McGuire’s first league goal of the season gave Orlando a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers.
Argentine Max Urruti’s 84th-minute goal gave the New England Revolution a 3-3 draw at Sporting Kansas City after the visitors had let an early 2-0 lead slip.
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