The Ballon d’Or 2018 award ceremony will be held in Paris today.
The best footballers in the world will battle it out for the prestigious honour.
The 63rd edition of the award will be hosted by former Spurs’ star, David Ginola and the event will begin on Dec 03, 07:45 PM WAT
Today, 3rd December, the Ballon d’Or 2018 will be announced. Varane, Ramos, Modric, Marcelo, Isco, Courtois, Bale and Benzema are the eight madridistas nominated, meaning Real Madrid are the best represented team on the list of 30 candidates announced by France Football, the magazine in charge of the award. The Ballon d’Or winner will be revealed in Paris by former player David Ginola.
Since the last time the award was handed out, seven of those eight madridistas won the Champions League and Club World Cup. The Belgian goalkeeper finished in third place with his side at the Russia World Cup, picking up the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper. The other candidates for the Ballon d’Or are: Agüero, Alisson, Cavani, Cristiano Ronaldo, De Bruyne, Firmino, Godín, Griezmann, Hazard, Kane, Kanté, Lloris, Mandzukic, Mané, Mbappé, Messi, Neymar, Oblak, Pogba, Rakitic, Salah and Luis Suárez.
Rodrygo, candidate for the Kopa Trophy
France Football will also be awarding the Kopa Trophy for the first time. It recognises the best player under the age of 21. Rodrygo Goes is one of ten candidates along with Alexander Arnold, Aouar, Cutrone, Doan, Donnarumma, Haidara, Kluivert, Mbappé and Pulisic. The winner is selected by a panel of former Ballon d’Or winners.