The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ballon D’Or

  • LaLiga boss faults Madrid no-show at Ballon d’Or

    LaLiga boss faults Madrid no-show at Ballon d’Or

    LaLiga president Javier Tebas has criticised Real Madrid for boycotting the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday.

    Los Blancos cancelled their planned trip to the French capital after finding out that Manchester City midfielder Rodri would be announced as the winner of the prestigious award ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

    Despite Vinicius missing out, Madrid were named as the best men’s club of the season and its manager Carlo Ancelotti won the award for the best coach.

    “I am a Real Madrid fan,” Tebas told L’Equipe. “The most important values of this club are being a gentleman and shaking hands when you lose. I think Real Madrid lost that spirit a long time ago. They should have gone to the ceremony and not questioned France Football’s system, which is transparent, with 100 journalists voting. Real’s victimhood is unnecessary and exaggerated.

    “I don’t know where they want to go.”

    Former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, meanwhile, felt Madrid’s disappointment was justified as Vinicius was the best player last season.

    Vinicius scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions last season for LaLiga champions Madrid, including his team’s second goal in their Champions League final win against Borussia Dortmund.

    “When Real Madrid were European champions last season, Vinicius was decisive in every game,” the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema told El Chiringuito. “I don’t think there is anyone else who deserves it more than him.

    Read Also: Guardiola defends Rodri’s Ballon d’Or choice

    “It’s a bit sad and I don’t feel good for Vinicius, who deserves the Ballon d’Or.”

    Benzema said Vinicius’ talent is more noticeable than that of Rodri.

    “I have nothing against Rodri, who is a good player,” he said. “But I’m on my couch, I watch television and Rodri doesn’t do things that make me say: ‘Pffff,’ and Vinicius has done that more than once.”

    Benzema, who now plays for Saudi Pro League Al Ittihad, is convinced the Brazilian forward will one day win the Ballon d’Or.

    “Yesterday I was talking to Vinicius, he is strong to work and one day he will have it [the Ballon d’Or],” he said. “He was sad. It’s normal. It’s a bit complicated when everyone sees you winning the Ballon d’Or and in the end, a day before or a few hours before they tell you that you’re not going to win it.

    “Vinicius is a good man, he will work and one day wins the Ballon d’Or.”

  • Rodri crowned 2024  Ballon D’Or winner

    Rodri crowned 2024  Ballon D’Or winner

    Vinicius Jr , Madrid snub ceremony

    Rodri  has been crowned the best men’s footballer on the planet, surprisingly winning the vote ahead of the bookmakers’ favourite, Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.

    The Manchester City midfielder was in imperious form last season, helping his club lift the Premier League title yet again, while also playing a starring role for champions Spain at the UEFA European Championship in the summer.

    He is the first Spaniard to win the Ballon d’Or since Luis Suarez in 1960, the first Premier League player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008, and the first midfielder since Luka Modric in 2018.

    Rodri arrived at the ceremony on crutches, having ruptured his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) last month in the early stages of a draw with Arsenal – an injury which has ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

    The bookmakers’ favourite to win the Ballon d’Or over recent weeks was Vinicius Junior, with the Brazilian having fired Los Blancos to a Champions League and La Liga double.

    Vinicius scored 24 goals and assisted 11 more across all competitions, including a brace in the Champions League semi-final at Bayern Munich and one in the final win over Borussia Dortmund.

    It was not enough, though, with Vinicius and the rest of the Madrid squad – including fellow Ballon d’Or contender Jude Bellingham – not travelling to Paris after learning of their fate in advance.

    Monday evening’s ceremony in Paris crowned the best men’s player on the planet based on performances in the 2023/24 campaign, which culminated with the international summer tournaments: the European Championship and Copa America.

    Read Also: Labbadia: Green, Gombe  fault NFF 

    It marked the third time that the golden ball has been awarded on that basis, after previously going by calendar year. Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi were the other two winners.

    Messi scooped the prize based primarily on a tournament, having led Argentina to 2022 World Cup glory – and Euro 2024 may well have proved crucial for Rodri.

    The 28-year-old was named as the player of the tournament in Germany, helping La Roja to seven wins from as many games en route to the trophy.

    He was forced off through injury at half-time against England in the final, but shone before that, leading the team from central midfield. He chipped in with a knockout-stage goal against Georgia, too.

    At club level, Rodri’s importance had the spotlight shone on it in his absence. City lost three of the four Premier League games he missed last term.

    Fortunately for The Citizens, he put in sensationally consistent form throughout his 34 games, helping his team to a fourth league title in succession.

    Of his three defeats across all competitions, including with the national side, only one was within 90 minutes (against Manchester United, with penalty shootout losses to Arsenal and Real Madrid).

    The scorer of the winning goal in the previous season’s UEFA Champions League final also showed his clutch tendencies again, effectively wrapping up the title on the final day of 2023/24 against West Ham United.

    There was also an invaluable 88th-minute winner at Sheffield United earlier in the neck-and-neck race with rivals Arsenal.

    ALL THE WINNERS

    Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmati

    Men’s Coach of the Year: Carlo Ancelotti

     Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy : Carlo Ancelotti

    Women’s Coach of the year: Emma Hayes

    Socrates Award: Jennifer Hermoso

    Yachine Trophy: Emiliano Martinez

    Gerd Muller Trophy  : Harry Kane & Kylian Mbappé 

    2024 Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal

    Men’s  Club of The Year: Real Madrid

    Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona

  • Everything you need to know about 2024 Ballon d’or

    Everything you need to know about 2024 Ballon d’or

    The eyes of the footballing world will be on Paris on Monday for the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards.

    The renowned honours are presented in the French capital every year. 2024 marks the 68th edition.

    Nigeria star, Ademola Lookman was among the nominees following the publication of the 30-man shortlist earlier this year. He was nominated due to his superb performances last season at the club and international levels.

    There will be several categories at the event, with all eyes on who succeeds Lionel Messi, the winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

    What is the Ballon d’Or?

    The Ballon d’Or awards honour the year’s best players, coaches and clubs in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

    It has been presented annually by French magazine France Football since 1956 and also celebrates the top scorer, goalkeeper, young player and humanitarian.

    Who are the nominees?

    Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
    Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
    William Saliba (Arsenal)
    Lautaro Martinez (Internazionale Milano)
    Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
    Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
    Rodri (Man City)
    Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
    Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
    Hakan Calhanoglu (Internazionale Milano)
    Declan Rice (Arsenal)
    Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
    Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
    Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
    Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
    Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
    Dani Olmo (Barcelona)
    Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
    Mats Hummels (Roma)
    Erling Haaland (Man City)
    Nicholas Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
    Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen)
    Phil Foden (Man City)
    Artem Dovbyk (Roma)
    Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
    Toni Kroos (former Real Madrid)
    Ruben Dias (Man City)
    Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
    Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

    When does it take place?

    The event will take place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday 28 October.

    Read Also: Star scorer Lookman knows Ballon d’Or fate today

    The event gets under way at 8.45 Nigerian time and will be broadcast live on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel and website. 

    Who decides the winner? 

    The shortlists are revealed almost two months before the event. Voting is then carried out by 100 journalists, with one selected from the top 100 countries in the FIFA men’s rankings.

    They are tasked with picking their top 10 players from the 30-man shortlist. The 10 players are awarded 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point respectively. The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the player with the highest number of points.

  • Rodrygo decries Ballon d’Or shortlist omission

    Rodrygo decries Ballon d’Or shortlist omission

    Real Madrid forward Rodrygo says he is disappointed he did not make the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

    The 23-year-old scored 17 goals and registered nine assists in 51 appearances for the Spanish club last season.

    But the Brazil international failed to secure a nomination for the prestigious award, unlike his Madrid team-mates Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.

    “I was upset, I think I deserved it,” Rodrygo told ESPN.”I don’t want to belittle the players who are there, I think they deserved it also. But I think I had a place in the 30.”

    The nominees are selected by France Football’s editorial team in collaboration with the Ballon d’Or ambassador – former Chelsea and Ivorian  forward Didier Drogba – and selected members of the media.

    The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 28 October.

    Rodrygo was part of the Real Madrid side that won the La Liga and Champions League titles last season.

    Along with England midfielder Bellingham and fellow Brazil forward Vinicius, Real’s Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger and the now-retired Toni Kroos were all nominated.

    France striker Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real from Paris St-Germain in the summer when his contract with the French club expired, also made the shortlist.

    Read Also: Niger tanker fire: Tinubu challenges FRSC on road safety measures as death toll rises to 59

    Rodrygo cited his versatility across different positions for both club and country as a possible reason for the snub.

    “Often, I’m just filling spaces,” he said. “Is someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is someone missing as number nine? Rodrygo. That’s it.

    “It may get in my way a little, but I’m a team player.”

  • FULL LIST: Eight Nigerians nominated for Ballon d’Or

    FULL LIST: Eight Nigerians nominated for Ballon d’Or

    The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by French magazine France Football since 1956 to honour the player deemed to have performed the best over the previous season.

    Over the years, Nigerian players have also proven to be worthy of this award after being shortlisted by the organisers.

    Read Also: Full List: Female players nominated for Ballon D’Or 

    Following Wednesday’s announcement, Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman joined the train of Nigerian players to be nominated for the prestigious award after his blistering performances for both club and country.

    Here is the full list of nominees from Nigeria and the year.

    1. Finidi George- 1995
    2. Daniel Amokachi – 1995
    3. Austin Okocha – 1995
    4. Kanu Nkwankeo – 1996, 1999
    5. Victor Ikpeba – 1997
    6. Sunday Oliseh – 1998
    7. Victor Osimhen – 2023
    8. Ademola Lookman – 2024

  • Full List: Female players nominated for Ballon D’Or 

    Full List: Female players nominated for Ballon D’Or 

    France Football Magazine on Wednesday nominated female players for the prestigious Ballon D’Or trophy.

    Here are names of the shortlist nominees.

    Barba Banda
    Marie-Antoinette Katoto
    Aitana Bonmati
    Alyssa Naeher
    Lucy Bronze
    Sjoeke Nüsken
    Mariona Caldentey
    Ewa Pajor
    Tabitha Chawinga
    Salma Paralluelo

    Read Also: FULL LIST: Lookman, Saka, others make 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees list

    Grace Geyoro
    Gabi Portilho
    Manuela Giugliano
    Alexia Putellas
    Caroline Graham Hansen
    Mayra Ramírez
    Patricia Guijarro
    Trinity Rodman
    Giulia Gwinn
    Lea Schüller
    Yui Hasegawa
    Ada Hegerberg
    Khadija Shaw
    Sophia Smith
    Lauren Hemp
    Mallory Swanson
    Lindsey Horan
    Tarciane
    Lauren James
    Glódís Viggósdóttir

  • FULL LIST: Lookman, Saka, others make 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees list

    FULL LIST: Lookman, Saka, others make 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees list

    European football body (UEFA) has released the men and women list for the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees.

    The list was revealed in a tweet on Ballon d’Or’s

    Official X page on Wednesday.

    Here is full list of the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees

    Men’s nominees

    Jude Bellingham (England and Real Madrid)

    Ruben Dias (Portugal and Manchester City)

    Phil Foden (England and Manchester City)

    Federico Valverde (Uruguay and Real Madrid)

    Emiliano Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa)

    Cole Palmer (England and Chelsea)

    Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)

    Ademola Lookman (Nigeria and Atalanta)

    Nico Williams (Spain and Athletic Bilbao)

    Granit Xhaka (Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen)

    Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine and Roma)

    Toni Kroos (former Germany and Real Madrid)

    Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)

    Dani Olmo (Spain and Barcelona)

    Florian Wirtz (Germany and Bayer Leverkusen)

    Martin Odegaard (Norway and Arsenal)

    Mats Hummels (Germany, free agent)

    Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)

    Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)

    Declan Rice (England and Arsenal)

    Vitinha (Portugal and Paris St-Germain)

    Dani Carvajal (Spain and Real Madrid)

    Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona)

    Bukayo Saka (England and Arsenal)

    Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey and Inter Milan)

    William Saliba (France and Arsenal)

    Kylian Mbappe (France and Real Madrid)

    Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)

    Antonio Rudiger (Germany and Real Madrid)

    Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain and Bayer Leverkusen)

    Women nominees

    Aitana Bonmati (Spain and Barcelona)

    Barbra Banda (Zambia and Orlando Pride)

    Tarciane (Brazil and Houston Dash)

    Lauren Hemp (England and Manchester City)

    Trinity Rodman (United States and Washington Spirit)

    Ada Hegerberg (Norway and Lyon)

    Manuela Giugliano (Italy and Roma)

    Mallory Swanson (United States and Chicago Red Stars)

    Glodis Viggosdottir (Iceland and Bayern Munich)

    Mariona Caldentey (Spain and Arsenal)

    Lauren James (England and Chelsea)

    Lea Schuller (Germany and Bayern Munich)

    Patricia Guijarro (Spain and Barcelona)

    Gabi Portilho (Brazil and Corinthians)

    Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi and Lyon)

    Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway and Barcelona)

    Lindsey Horan (United States and Lyon)

    Sjoeke Nusken (Germany and Chelsea)

    Yui Hasegawa (Japan and Manchester City)

    Lucy Bronze (England and Chelsea)

    Read Also: Confident Eguavoen vows to beat Benin, Rwanda

    Salma Paralluelo (Spain and Barcelona)

    Giulia Gwinn (Germany and Bayern Munich)

    Khadija Shaw (Jamaica and Manchester City)

    Grace Geyoro (France and Paris St-Germain)

    Alexia Putellas (Spain and Barcelona)

    Sophia Smith (United States and Portland Thorns)

    Ewa Pajor (Poland and Barcelona)

    Alyssa Naeher (United States and Chicago Red Stars)

    Mayra Ramirez (Colombia and Chelsea)

    Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France and Paris St-Germain)

    Kopa Trophy nominees

    Pau Cubarsi – (Spain and Barcelona)

    Alejandro Garnacho – (Argentina and Manchester United)

    Lamine Yamal – (Spain and Barcelona)

    Arda Guler – (Turkey and Real Madrid)

    Karim Konate – (Cote d’Ivoire and Salzburg)

    Kobbie Mainoo – (England and Manchester United)

    Joao Neyes – (Portugal and PSG)

    Savinho Oliveira – (Brazil and Manchester City)

    Mathys Tel – (France and Bayern Munich)

    Warren Zaire-Emery – (France and PSG)

  • UEFA, France Football ring changes for Ballon d’Or

    UEFA, France Football ring changes for Ballon d’Or

    UEFA have announced a new partnership with the organisation that runs the Ballon d’Or to co-organise football’s individual awards ceremony.

    UEFA will now host the prestigious ceremony, which means the UEFA Best Player award will no longer exist.

    A statement read: “Together, UEFA and Groupe Amaury aim to enhance the stature and global reach of the awards while fostering a sense of unity and collaboration within the football community.”

    UEFA will not be involved in the voting as each country’s international team captain, manager and a media representative will continue to nominate their top three players of the year.

    The partnership commences from 2024, where the awards ceremony will include two new awards – the best men’s and women’s coach.

    Read Also: Messi, Bonmati, rule 2023 Ballon d’Or

    The existing awards in the Ballon d’Or Feminin, the Kopa Trophy, the Yashin trophy and the Gerd Muller Trophy will remain.

    Jean-Etienne Amaury, Groupe Amaury CEO, added: “We want to make the Ballon d’Or Awards Ceremony to be the global event that showcases and highlights the talent of top-level footballers in their individual and collective performances, to inspire all talents in football and aim to bring together the passion and enthusiasm of fans from all over the world.”

    The iconic Ballon d’Or award has been on offer every year since 1956 – except in 2020 due to Covid-19.

    Earlier this week, Lionel Messi beat Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to win his eighth Ballon d’Or title.

  • Full list of 2023 Ballon d’Or votes

    Full list of 2023 Ballon d’Or votes

    France Football have revealed full Ballon d’Or 2023 votes from all of the voting countries.

    FULL LIST OF VOTES:

    South Africa: Messi

    🇦🇱 Albania: Messi

    🇩🇿 Algeria: Haaland

    🇩🇪 Germany: Messi

    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England: Messi

    🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Messi

    🇦🇷 Argentina: Messi

    🇦🇺 Australia: Messi

    🇦🇲 Armenia: Messi

    Read Also: Ballon d’Or  top finish brightens Osimhen’s  future, says Amuneke

    🇦🇹 Austria: Messi

    🇧🇭 Bahrein: Haaland

    🇧🇪 Belgium: Messi

    🇧🇯 Benin: Haaland

    🇧🇾 Bielorussia: Messi

    🇧🇴 Bolivia: Messi

    🇧🇦 Bosnia: Messi

    🇧🇷 Brazil: Messi

    🇧🇬 Bulgaria: Mbappé

    🇨🇲 Cameroon: Mbappé

    🇨🇦 Canada: Messi

    🇨🇻 Capo Verde: Haaland

    🇨🇳 Cina: Messi

    🇨🇱 Cile: Messi

    🇨🇴 Colombia: Messi

    🇰🇷 Korea: Messi

    🇨🇷 Costa Rica: Messi

    🇨🇮 Ivory Coste: Mbappé

    🇭🇷 Croatia: Messi

    🇩🇰 Denmark: Haaland

    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland: Messi

    🇪🇬 Egypt: Messi

    🇮🇪 Ireland: Messi

    🇦🇪 UAE: Messi

    🇪🇨 Ecuador: Messi

    🇪🇸 Spain: Messi

    🇺🇸 USA: Messi

    🇫🇮 Finland: Messi

    🇫🇷 France: Haaland

    🇬🇦 Gabon: Haaland

    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales: Messi

    🇬🇪 Georgia: Messi

    🇬🇭 Ghana: Haaland

    🇬🇷 Greece: Haaland

    🇬🇳 Guinea: Haaland

    🇬🇶 Guinea Eq: Messi

    🇭🇳 Honduras: Messi

    🇭🇺 Hungary: Messi

    🇮🇳 India: Messi

    🇮🇶 Iraq: Messi

    🇮🇷 Iran: Messi

    🇬🇧 Northern Ireland: Messi

    🇮🇸 Island: Haaland

    🇮🇱 Israel: Messi

    🇮🇹 Italy: Messi

    🇯🇲 Jamaica: Messi

    🇯🇵 Japan: Haaland

    🇯🇴 Giordania: Haaland

    🇰🇬 Kirghizistan: Haaland

    🇱🇧 Lebanon: Messi

    🇱🇺 Luxembourg: Messi

    🇲🇰 Macedonia: Haaland

    🇲🇦 Morocco: Messi

    🇲🇽 Mexico: Messi

    🇲🇪 Montenegro: Messi

    🇳🇬 Nigeria: Messi

    🇳🇴 Norway: Haaland

    🇴🇲 Oman: Messi

    🇺🇬 Uganda: Messi

    🇵🇸 Palestine: Messi

    🇵🇦 Panama: Messi

    🇵🇾 Paraguay: Messi

    🇳🇱 Netherlands: Messi

    🇵🇪 Perù: Messi

    🇵🇱 Polonia: Messi

    🇵🇹 Portugal: Bernardo Silva

    🇶🇦 Qatar: Messi

    🇨🇿 Czech Republic: Messi

    🇷🇴 Romania: Messi

    🇷🇺 Russia: Messi

    🇸🇻 Salvador: Haaland

    🇸🇳 Senegal: Haaland

    🇸🇰 Slovakia: Haaland

    🇸🇮 Slovenia: Messi

    🇸🇪 Sweden: Messi

    🇨🇭 Switzerland: Haaland

    🇹🇳 Tunisia: Messi

    🇹🇷 Turkiye: Messi

    🇺🇦 Ukraine: Messi

    🇺🇾 Uruguay: Messi

    🇻🇪 Venezuela: Messi

    🇻🇳 Vietnam: Messi

    🇿🇲 Zambia: Messi

    Countries who didn’t vote for Messi:

    Cameroon

    Cape Verde

    Guinea

    Jordan

    Switzerland 

    El Salvador

  • Rema performs ‘Calm Down’ at Ballon D’or ceremony

    Rema performs ‘Calm Down’ at Ballon D’or ceremony

    Afrorave artiste, Rema took the stage at the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony to perform his global hit, “Calm Down.”

    The performance left the audience, which included football stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland among others in awe of the African talent.

    Read Also: Messi, Ronaldo as match sticks

    Flanked by two female dancers, Rema, electrified the crowd with hit song as the crowed clapped along.

    It was s the first time a Nigerian artiste performed at the Balon D’or ceremony.