Ballon d’Or 2022 LIVE! Updates, full results revealed and reaction as Karim Benzema wins

Ballon d’Or - LIVE!

The honour of football’s most prestigious individual award last night went to Karim Benzema as he became the first Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or since Zinedine Zidane last century. It was no surprise after he last season fired Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a memorable LaLiga and Champions League double, scoring a remarkable 44 goals across all competitions.

The likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe were both in the top ten while Benzema is only the second player not named Lionel Messi - who did not make the final shortlist this year - or Cristiano Ronaldo to scoop the prize since 2007. Harry Kane finished 21st in the voting, with Ronaldo in 20th, his worst result since 2005, and Haaland 10th. Mbappe came sixth in the voting, just behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Gavi picked up the Kopa Trophy, for the best men’s U21 player, beating the likes of Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka. Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas clinched her second successive Ballon d'Or Féminin, with Beth Mead second in the voting after starring for Arsenal and England. Thibaut Courtois won the Yashin Trophy. Read back our LIVE coverage of the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony with Standard Sport’s blog below!

Ballon d’Or 2022 latest news

• Benzema wins Ballon d’Or for first time

• Courtois wins Yashin Trophy

• Putellas wins Ballon d’Or Féminin ahead of Mead

• Gavi wins Kopa Trophy, Saka eighth

• Full Ballon d’Or results

• Manchester City voted Club of the Year

Mourinho reacts to Benzema’s win

11:55 , Matt Verri

“Karim has a great personality,” Mourinho said of Benzema, who he worked with at Real Madrid.

“He is a guy obsessed with the team, not with himself, or with wanting to score more than A, B, or C. His Ballon d’Or is the natural result of his formidable evolution, more than the result of a personal obsession.

“When I was his coach, he was a talented footballer in search of his identity as a very high-level player with the right ambitions and the right physical condition.

“I wanted him to grow as quickly as possible, and I was hard on him. I corrected him on all the little details. I don’t know if I had an influence on his development. Only he knows that.

“He is a phenomenal footballer at the peak of his potential, physical, mental, and tactical abilities. Karim is a multifunctional player. If there were three Karims in a big team, they would all play: one would be the scorer, the other a leader, and the last one would play on the left side.”

Kroos responds to Real coming third

11:30 , Matt Verri

Manchester City were named Club of the Year at last night’s ceremony, with Liverpool in second and Real Madrid in third.

That was due to the number of nominations City had across the individual awards, even though Real won La Liga and the Champions League, and had the Ballon d’Or winner.

Toni Kroos asked if Real fans were happy with coming third - fair to assume he was not.

Agonising for Mead...

10:47 , Matt Verri

A bit more detail on the Ballon d’Or Feminin voting.

Alexia Putellas picked up the award for the second year in a row, though in very different fashion this time.

Last year she was more than 100 votes clear of second place - last night she beat Beth Mead by just a single vote. Sam Kerr was a further 52 votes back of the Arsenal and England star in third.

Not sure that will be making Mead feel any better about the result!

Courtois not impressed with results

10:30 , Matt Verri

Thibaut Courtois came seventh in the Ballon d’Or voting and picked up the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, but the Real Madrid man was still frustrated with the results.

“I’m very happy for Karim Benzema,” Courtois said after the ceremony. “I’m not saying I would have won it, but I’m not even on the podium being the goalkeeper who won La Liga and the Champions League.

“It seems scoring a goal is better than stopping it. It is a battle that remains to be won. Seeing the logic and knowing how they vote, I knew I would have no chance of winning it.”

He added: “A future winning goalkeeper? I see that as impossible for a goalkeeper.

“It’s impossible to win this award. I don’t know if as a goalkeeper you can do more than what I did last year.”

Mead hails fan support

09:59 , Matt Verri

Beth Mead says she has “really felt the love” after capping a sensational 12 months by finishing second in the women’s Ballon d’Or vote last night.

A after a superb club season with Arsenal, she then fired England to European Championship glory this summer, winning the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament prizes.

Mead’s performances earned a place on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Feminin, where she finished second to Barcelona star Alexia Putellas, with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr in third.

In a video message to supporters on social media, Mead said: “I just wanted to say a huge, huge thank you for the support that you’ve given me, both the women’s and the men’s team this year.

“I couldn’t done it without you, I’ve really felt the love, I’ve had an amazing night, enjoyed the ceremony and congratulations to all the winners.”

It’s 2005 all over again!

09:41 , Matt Verri

The Ballon d’Or has been the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo show for well over a decade now, but that certainly wasn’t the case last night.

Messi failed to even make the 30-man shortlist this year, the first time that has happened since 2005, while Cristiano Ronaldo was 20th in the voting.

That’s his lowest finish since... 2005. He also finished 20th that year, sharing it with Jamie Carragher.

Henry knew...

09:19 , Matt Verri

Not many were surprised when Benzema picked up the award last night - Thierry Henry certainly wasn’t.

Speaking after Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League final at the end of last season, the Arsenal legend suggested they might as well stop the voting five months early.

“I just wanted to say something for France Football or whoever is voting,” Henry told CBS Sports.

“Close the votes, Benzema won it. Bye.”

Yashin Trophy

09:02 , Alex Young

Thibaut Courtois won the Yashin Trophy last night.

Perhaps surprisingly, it was the first time the Real Madrid goalkeeper had been awarded the prize, and hadn’t even earned a place on the podium previously.

Here’s how the nominees were ranked.

1. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

2. Alisson (Liverpool)

3. Ederson (Manchester City)

4. Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)

5. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)

Putellas made history

08:27 , Alex Young

Barcelona's Alexia Putellas last night became the first player to win the award twice.

The Spaniard scored 42 goals and delivered 22 assists last season as she won the Spanish League and reached the Champions League final. She has been sidelined since July after injuring her left knee and undergoing surgery on the eve of the Women's European Championship.

"When I got injured I didn't think I'd be here today, but it makes me proud to get recompense for all that hard work," she said. "I miss playing so much and doing what I like to do the most."

Putellas beat out fellow forwards Beth Mead of Arsenal and England and Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia for the award.

Mesut reacts to ‘my boy’ winning

07:52 , Alex Young

Karim Benzema’s former Real Madrid team-mate Mesut Ozil has reacted to the striker’s win.

De Bruyne on second place

07:29 , Alex Young

Kevin De Bruyne became the first Manchester City player to be shortlisted to the final three of the award.

"I have been nominated quite a few times now, so it means you have been doing well consistently," the Belgian said. "To be recognised as a player is always nice. If you are in that list, then it means a lot and after it is the people's opinion."

Man City were voted club of the year, and chief executive Ferran Soriano said: "This award is recognition of the hard work and dedication found in every department of our organisation."

Onto the next for Karim

07:23 , Alex Young

Win the Ballon d'Or on the Monday, focus on the next challenge on the Tuesday. That's the Karim Benzema way.

The striker will now be hoping to win his first piece of major silverware with France at the World Cup in Qatar next month, having missed out on the 2018 tournament, which they won in Russia. The 34-year-old recently made his comeback with the national team after a gap of almost six years over a blackmail scandal.

"My goal is to continue to enjoy playing football, to score and make my team mates score. The World Cup is the next challenge," he said ahead of the finals starting on Nov. 20.

Although Benzema has had a complicated history with France and coach Didier Deschamps, he insisted his Ballon d'Or triumph did not prove anything.

"Revenge doesn't help you grow," he said. "I don't want to dwell on my failures. They just give me more mental strength. I have no regrets. What happened, happened, but what matters is what is happening today."

Karim Benzema wins the 2022 Ballon d’Or

Monday 17 October 2022 23:04 , Marc Mayo

Karim Benzema has been named the best footballer on the planet for 2022 after winning the Ballon d’Or.

An imperious year for the Real Madrid striker, 34, has seen him lift the Champions League trophy for a fifth time plus the LaLiga title.

Presented the award by Zinedine Zidane, he said: “I’m proud, this is a childhood dream. I grew up with this in my head, then I had the motivation.

“I had two role models in life: Zizou and Ronaldo. I've never lowered my efforts and I've kept the dream in my head, even through a period in which I was not in the national team.

“But I did not lower my efforts and it worked. It has been difficult and this only made me stronger mentally. I am satisfied with my work and I am very happy. I thank my teammates at Real Madrid and the national team.”

Read the full story!

A good night for Barcelona

Monday 17 October 2022 22:55 , Marc Mayo

Just like last year, Barcelona enjoy a fine awards ceremony with three trophies to take home.

Now, if only they could do something about those pesky results...

Yashin Trophy handed to top goalkeeper

Monday 17 October 2022 22:46 , Marc Mayo

Thibaut Courtois was named the goalkeeper of the year as he won the 2022 Yashin Trophy.

Monday’s ceremony for the Ballon d’Or saw the Real Madrid shot-stopper honoured after his star performance in the Champions League final victory over Liverpool.

A shortlist of ten goalkeepers for their performances in the 2021-22 campaign included Hugo Lloris of Tottenham, Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy, Ederson of Manchester City and Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.

Courtois, who finished seventh in the overall Ballon d’Or voting, beat Alisson into second with Ederson third and Mendy fourth.

Read the full story!

More praise for Benzema

Monday 17 October 2022 22:35 , Marc Mayo

David Alaba shows the love for his Real Madrid pal.

Barcelona star claims women’s gong

Monday 17 October 2022 22:27 , Marc Mayo

Alexia Putellas was named the women’s footballer of the year for the second time in a row as she beat Beth Mead to the 2022 Ballon d’Or Feminin prize.

England and Arsenal star Mead, who won the best player award as the Lionesses won the Euros, came second after Putellas led Barcelona to an historic LaLiga title - winning every domestic game before missing the Euros through injury.

Lucy Bronze, Mead and Millie Bright were among the 20 nominees while Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema and Sam Kerr of Chelsea made the longlist from the Women’s Super League.

Kerr finished third for the second year in a row ahead of Bronze (10th), Miedema (11th) and Bright (15th).

Read the full story!

Congratulations for Benzema

Monday 17 October 2022 22:17 , Marc Mayo

Ex-Real Madrid teammate Michael Essien sends his best to Karim Benzema following his win tonight.

“Congratulations, you deserve it,” writes the former Chelsea man.

Gavi claimed the first award of the night

Monday 17 October 2022 22:08 , Marc Mayo

Barcelona midfielder Gavi won the 2022 Kopa Trophy as the world’s best under-21 player at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

England stars Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham finished eighth and fourth respectively as the 18-year-old Spaniard took the gong.

Completing the top three were Jamal Musiala and Eduardo Camavinga, the Frenchman coming second having won the Champions League with Real Madrid.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes also finished in the top five with RB Leipzig defender and Chelsea target Josko Gvariol sharing sixth place alongside Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax.

Read the full story!

French president is a happy man...

Monday 17 October 2022 22:00 , Matt Verri

Big night for Mane

Monday 17 October 2022 21:53 , Matt Verri

Second for Sadio Mane, making him only the second African player ever to finish in the top three. George Weah won the Ballon d’Or in 1995.

The Bayern star also picked up the Socrates Award, in recognition of his humanitarian work back in Senegal.

Full Ballon d’Or results

Monday 17 October 2022 21:42 , Matt Verri

1st - Karim Benzema

2nd - Sadio Mane

3rd - Kevin De Bruyne

4th - Robert Lewandowski

5th - Mohamed Salah

6th - Kylian Mbappe

7th - Thibaut Courtois

8th - Vinicius Junior

9th - Luka Modric

10th - Erling Haaland

11th - Heung-Min Son

12th - Riyad Mahrez

13th - Sebastian Haller

= 14th - Fabinho

16th - Virgil van Dijk

= 17th - Luis Diaz, Casemiro, Dusan Vlahovic

20th - Cristiano Ronaldo

= 22nd - Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold

= 25th - Darwin Nunez, Christopher Nkunku, Joao Cancelo, Mike Maignan, Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich

Ozil hails ‘Benzi'

Monday 17 October 2022 21:36 , Matt Verri

Mesut Ozil has often spoken about how close he is to Karim Benzema, and how highly he rates the Frenchman as a footballer.

No surprise to see Ozil take to Twitter to congratulate his former Real Madrid team-mate.

He’s put in the time!

Monday 17 October 2022 21:31 , Matt Verri

Courtois picks up goalkeeper award

Monday 17 October 2022 21:26 , Matt Verri

Thibaut Courtois was named the goalkeeper of the year as he won the 2022 Yashin Trophy.

Monday’s ceremony for the Ballon d’Or saw the Real Madrid shot-stopper honoured after his star performance in the Champions League final victory over Liverpool.

A shortlist of ten goalkeepers for their performances in the 2021-22 campaign included Hugo Lloris of Tottenham, Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy, Ederson of Manchester City and Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.

Courtois, who finished seventh in the overall Ballon d’Or voting, beat Alisson into second with Ederson third and Mendy fourth.

Earlier in the night...

Monday 17 October 2022 21:21 , Matt Verri

Barcelona midfielder Gavi won the 2022 Kopa Trophy as the world’s best under-21 player.

England stars Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham finished eighth and fourth respectively as the 18-year-old Spaniard took the gong.

Completing the top three were Jamal Musiala and Eduardo Camavinga, the Frenchman coming second having won the Champions League with Real Madrid.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes also finished in the top five with RB Leipzig defender and Chelsea target Josko Gvariol sharing sixth place alongside Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax.

Benzema: Age is just a number

Monday 17 October 2022 21:18 , Matt Verri

Benzema, who at 34 is the oldest Ballon d’Or winner since Stanley Matthews in 1956, has no intention of slowing down.

“Age is just a number for me,” he says.

“People play until their later years now and I still have this burning desire. It is this drive that has kept me going and never allowed me to let up. It kept this dream alive and was the fire behind me.

“I just want to make the most if it.”

Greatest league in the world?

Monday 17 October 2022 21:13 , Matt Verri

La Liga wasting no time in drawing attention to the league’s success.

Premier League needs to step up - Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 the last man to win the Ballon d’Or while playing in England.

Family affair!

Monday 17 October 2022 21:10 , Matt Verri

Also in the top four...

Monday 17 October 2022 21:07 , Matt Verri

So Benzema wins the Ballon d’Or, with Sadio Mane second in the voting after his brilliant season with Liverpool.

Kevin De Bruyne comes third, with Robert Lewandowski, who many thought should have won the award last year, in fourth.

Benzema’s reaction to Ballon d’Or success

Monday 17 October 2022 21:04 , Matt Verri

“This makes me really proud, all the work I did, I never gave up,” he says.

“I had two role models in my life, Zidane and Ronaldo as well. I always had this dream in my mind that everything’s possible. There was a difficult period where I wasn’t in the French team but I worked hard and never gave up, kept my head down and enjoyed playing football.

“I’m really proud of my journey here, it wasn’t easy, it was difficult, for me and my family. To be here today, the first time for me. I am just really, really happy, thanks to my teammates, with Real Madrid and the national team.”

Moment Benzema will remember for a long, long time

Monday 17 October 2022 21:00 , Matt Verri

Monday 17 October 2022 20:59 , Matt Verri

“Karim, Karim, Karim” is the chant around the theatre, safe to say he’s a very popular winner in Paris!

Didier Deschamps among those with a huge smile on his face in the crowd. Benzema the first French player to win the Ballon d’Or since Zidane - good company to keep!

Benzema says Zidane and Ronaldo were the two role-models in his life growing up.

Karim Benzema wins the Ballon d’Or

Monday 17 October 2022 20:56 , Matt Verri

As expected!

Karim Benzema wins the Ballon d’Or for the first time - more than deserved after a sensational season.

Now then... Ballon d’Or time!

Monday 17 October 2022 20:54 , Matt Verri

Huge reception for Zinedine Zidane as he strolls out onto the stage with the trophy. Man for the big occasion.

Decent chance he’s giving that to Benzema very shortly. An extremely decent chance.

For those not tired of montages yet...

Monday 17 October 2022 20:52 , Matt Verri

Monday 17 October 2022 20:51 , Matt Verri

“We haven’t won the Champions League... yet.”

Only one thing on De Bruyne’s mind as he gives a speech on stage.

City have the most individual nominations across the categories, so that is behind them winning this award. Rules are rules.

Manchester City win Club of the Year

Monday 17 October 2022 20:49 , Matt Verri

Hmmmm.

Well, Man City beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to win the award. Maybe they saw De Bruyne and Ederson were here and felt bad.

Monday 17 October 2022 20:47 , Matt Verri

In third, it’s Real Madrid. They’d have been fancying their chances of winning this. Shame.

They’re beaten by Liverpool, who finish second after their charge on all fronts last season.

And the winner is...

Monday 17 October 2022 20:47 , Matt Verri

Luis Figo is out on stage, to award the Club of the Year award.

Penultimate award, before we get to the Ballon d’Or.

And then there were four

Monday 17 October 2022 20:40 , Matt Verri

Benzema, Lewandowski, Mane and De Bruyne.

Those are the players still in the running for the 2022 Ballon d’Or. The winner will be announced very shortly!

Don’t want to say three of them are playing for second, but...

Monday 17 October 2022 20:36 , Matt Verri

Three Premier League goalkeepers in the top four... all of them behind Courtois though!

Alisson in second, he likely would have won it had Liverpool beaten Real in the Champions League final.

Ederson in third, Mendy fourth with Lloris in tenth.

Yashin Trophy goes to... Courtois

Monday 17 October 2022 20:32 , Matt Verri

To be expected, after such an impressive season for Real.

Thoughts with Ederson who is sitting right next to Courtois, and so had the camera right on him as that was announced.

Monday 17 October 2022 20:32 , Matt Verri

Haller is on stage to give out the Yashin Trophy. Striker is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with a testicular tumour.

Mendy, Ederson, Alisson, Maignan and Courtois are the top five in the voting. Time to find out the winner.

Back to the Ballon d’Or...

Monday 17 October 2022 20:28 , Matt Verri

In seventh it’s Courtois, after helping Real Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory.

Mbappe has to settle for sixth, Salah in fifth for his part in Liverpool being in the hunt for a quadruple going into the final days of the season.

Lewandowski responds to Haaland form

Monday 17 October 2022 20:27 , Matt Verri

“The season is very long, I know for me it’s also a new chapter with Barcelona.

“I’m feeling very well in this club, it’s a big challenge and I felt that very well from the first minute. I see that from the first minute, I have the opportunity to score a lot of goals.

“I know the new generation are coming but still I’m here.”

Monday 17 October 2022 20:25 , Matt Verri

Just the 57 goals for Lewandowski last season, probably fair enough he gets something for it.

And there we were saying the fun was over for Barcelona. That’s three awards for them, even if this one has absolutely nothing to do with them.

They’ll be claiming it though.

Lewandowski wins the Gerd Muller Trophy!

Monday 17 October 2022 20:21 , Matt Verri

And Lewandowski does win it for the number of goals scored for Bayern Munich last seaosn.

Mbappe looks absolutely thrilled for him in the crowd...

Time for some more awards!

Monday 17 October 2022 20:20 , Matt Verri

The Gerd Muller award is next up - given to the best goalscorer of the year.

Robert Lewandowski expected to win this, though Karim Benzema will wonder how he’s not going to win this if he’s going to win the Ballon d’Or.

Details, details.

Barcelona double

Monday 17 October 2022 20:15 , Matt Verri

Gavi, Putellas... it’s been a good night for Barcelona so far!

Not wanting to make too many predictions, but there’s a decent chance the night might have already peaked for Barca fans. In fact it’s almost certain.

Probably going to be Real take centre stage from him.

Still to come...

Monday 17 October 2022 20:12 , Matt Verri

We’ve got the top seven of the Ballon d’Or to sort out, before the award is then given out. Benzema obviously the strong favourite.

There’s also the Yashin Trophy to come, with Alisson, Ederson and Thibaut Courtois among those on the shortlist for the best goalkeeper last season.

She’s getting used to giving these!

Monday 17 October 2022 20:07 , Matt Verri

Mead finishes second

Monday 17 October 2022 20:05 , Matt Verri

Beth Mead second in the voting after her sensational season for club and country, with Sam Kerr third.

England-team mates Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright are 10th and 15th respectively, with Vivianne Miedema in 11th.

Women’s Ballon d’Or winner is... Alexia Putellas

Monday 17 October 2022 20:02 , Matt Verri

No surprises there - Putellas wins it for the second year in a row.

She missed Euro 2022 with an ACL injury but shone for Barcelona last season to keep the trophy.

Mead does her best ‘really happy for you’ face. Good effort too.

Shevchenko sends message on Ukraine

Monday 17 October 2022 20:00 , Matt Verri

“A very difficult moment since the war started for all Ukrainian people. I am so proud of how my country defends and fight for their freedom,” Shevchenko says.

“I’ve been very involved in a lot of humanitarian and medical aid projects. It’s very important to remember the war is still going, but most important to stay on the side of Ukraine and help.

“Thank you so much.”

Women’s Ballon d’Or finalists

Monday 17 October 2022 19:57 , Matt Verri

Bonmati, Kerr, Mead, Putellas and Oberdorf.

Two WSL stars in there - Chelsea’s Kerr and Arsenal’s Mead. Putellas still the huge favourite to win the award for a second year in a row though.

Mane wins Socrates Award

Monday 17 October 2022 19:55 , Matt Verri

This is the first year the Socrates Award will be given out, given for humanitarian work.

It goes to Sadio Mane, who looks very embarrassed as the work he does back in Senegal is praised.

“I’m shy to talk about it but I’m very happy to do what I can for our people, and to make things better,” he says.

Full Kopa trophy results

Monday 17 October 2022 19:53 , Matt Verri

So Gavi top as we know, ahead of Camavinga in second with Bellingham in fourth as the top English U21 player.

Saka eighth in the voting - the only Premier League player to make the shortlist.

Ballon d’Or results...

Monday 17 October 2022 19:49 , Matt Verri

It’s Erling Haaland tenth - that will surely improve next year if he keeps up the current goalscoring form.

Luka Modric in ninth, just ahead of team-mate Vinicius Junior who finishes eighth in the voting.

Monday 17 October 2022 19:48 , Matt Verri

Didier Drogba tells Pedri and Gavi that they remind him of Xavi and Iniesta, asking the youngsters which one of those Barcelona legends they are.

They both go quiet, deciding it’s best not to answer questions about their current manager. Wise.

And the winner is... Gavi!

Monday 17 October 2022 19:44 , Matt Verri

It’s another Barcelona winner of the Kopa Trophy!

Pedri awards it to his team-mate, 18-year-old Gavi who already has 12 caps for Spain.

Here we go

Monday 17 October 2022 19:43 , Matt Verri

Five finalists are: Bellingham, Gavi, Mendes, Musiala and Camavinga.

That means Saka has not come in the top five of the voting.

Before that though... Kopa Trophy!

Monday 17 October 2022 19:41 , Matt Verri

That will come later, but it’s the Kopa Trophy that will be awarded first up in the ceremony.

Pedri, last year’s winner, and Ronaldo, of the Brazilian variety, the two to bring out the trophy.

Saka and Bellingham among those on the shortlist for this, given to the best men’s U21 player.

The top-ten of the Ballon d’Or

Monday 17 October 2022 19:39 , Matt Verri

A reminder of those in the top-ten of the voting.

Benzema, De Bruyne, Haaland, Courtois, Lewandowski, Mane, Mbappe, Modric, Salah and Vinicius.

Those are the players still waiting to find out where they have come in this year’s award.

Monday 17 October 2022 19:36 , Matt Verri

The trophy is brought up onto the stage, as a montage of the former winners plays behind Bocelli.

De Bruyne and Mane have prime seats next to Benzema - anything to read into that? We shall soon find out.

It’s Messi who finishes off the montage as Bocelli hits the final note, seven-time winner not even on the shortlist this year though.

Ceremony is underway!

Monday 17 October 2022 19:33 , Matt Verri

Andrea Bocelli is getting us up and running with a rendition of Nessun Dorma.

Always a guaranteed success when he’s involved.

Risky decision...

Monday 17 October 2022 19:30 , Matt Verri

Hope Ocon had the wet tyres on, not sure the organisers would have been thrilled to see it raining.

He made it with the trophy still in one piece though - mission success.

Make sure your volume isn’t too high before you start watching this...

Gunners are ready!

Monday 17 October 2022 19:27 , Matt Verri

Benzema’s red carpet thoughts

Monday 17 October 2022 19:24 , Matt Verri

“Happy to be here, it’s my first time,” the Frenchman said as he arrived ahead of the ceremony.

“Hope to have great news tonight!”

Think it’s fair to say there’s a very, very strong chance he will get the news he wants when the award is given out...

Quite the entrance...

Monday 17 October 2022 19:19 , Matt Verri

Esteban Ocon has just arrived in his F1 car, with the Ballon d’Or trophy. Of course.

Fellow driver Pierre Gasly is also hear, but he’s opted for a tuxedo and more low-key arrival as he walks the red carpet.

Stars are out in force

Monday 17 October 2022 19:14 , Matt Verri

Mbappe has arrived!

Monday 17 October 2022 19:10 , Matt Verri

Here’s Kylian Mbappe, who has been in the news recently after rumours started that he was pushing to leave PSG so soon after signing a new contract.

Sure he’s absolutely devastated that PSG team-mates Lionel Messi and Neymar aren’t on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

Benzema backed by Ronaldo

Monday 17 October 2022 19:04 , Matt Verri

“I’m pretty sure that Karim will win,” former Brazil star Ronaldo has said on the red carpet.

“He played an amazing season, I think he deserves this prize. Of course I miss a number nine winning this prize.

“Our position is very important to football and Karim expresses what is important to be a striker.”

Latest Ballon d’Or odds

Monday 17 October 2022 18:55 , Matt Verri

Karim Benzema: 1/33

Erling Haaland: 12/1

Kylian Mbappe: 16/1

Mohamed Salah: 25/1

Odds via Betfair.

Couple of decent wide players...

Monday 17 October 2022 18:46 , Matt Verri

History for Son

Monday 17 October 2022 18:38 , Matt Verri

As we covered earlier, Heung-min Son finished 11th in the voting.

That’s the highest Ballon d’Or finish ever by a male Asian player, reward for his fine season for Tottenham.

He’ll be hoping that 11th is not his best finish by the time he hangs up his boots...

De Bruyne is in the building

Monday 17 October 2022 18:32 , Matt Verri

Kevin De Bruyne has arrived with his family.

The Manchester City star has not yet had his ranking announced by France Football, so we know for sure he’s in the top ten of the voting.

Where in the top ten remains to be seen, but De Bruyne scored 15 times in the Premier League season with eight assists to go with that. When he’s fit, he delivers.

Suited and booted!

Monday 17 October 2022 18:24 , Matt Verri

Bukayo Saka is ready for tonight’s ceremony, which gets underway in just over an hour.

He’s on the shortlist for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best men’s U21 player over the season. Faces tough competition though, from the likes of Gavi, Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala.

An English player has finished second the last two times the award has been given out - Jadon Sancho in 2019, Bellingham in 2021.

Will it be an unwanted hat-trick?

Champions League winners

Monday 17 October 2022 18:18 , Matt Verri

But she faces competition from the likes of Beth Mead, who had a season to remember for both club and country, and of course the Lyon squad who beat Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final.

Ada Hegerberg, who won the inaugural Ballon d’Or Féminin, scored and assisted in that match, and she is nominated once again.

Clear favourite for the Ballon d’Or Féminin

Monday 17 October 2022 18:12 , Matt Verri

Reminder that it’s not just the men’s award being given out tonight.

We also have the Ballon d’Or Féminin, with Alexia Putellas the winner last year and she’s expected to pick up the individual prize once again.

Only 28 but already has incredible numbers.

Rankings so far...

Monday 17 October 2022 18:05 , Matt Verri

With just the top ten of the Ballon d’Or to be announced, here’s the results we’ve had so far.

11th: Heung-min Son

12th: Riyad Mahrez

13th: Sebastian Haller

=14th: Fabinho, Rafael Leao

16th: Virgil van Dijk

=17th: Luis Diaz, Casemiro, Dusan Vlahovic

20th: Cristiano Ronaldo

21st: Harry Kane

=22nd: Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bernardo Silva

=25th: Darwin Nunez, Joshua Kimmich, Joao Cancelo, Mike Maignan, Christopher Nkunku, Antonio Rudiger

Red carpet time!

Monday 17 October 2022 18:00 , Matt Verri

Still 90 minutes until the main ceremony gets underway but the stars are starting to arrive!

They’ll be met with rain once they get out of their cars, so they might be a bit quicker than usual in speed-walking over to the red carpet.

Son latest to learn ranking

Monday 17 October 2022 17:54 , Matt Verri

Heung-min Son just misses out on a place in the top-ten of voting. He’s 11th, beating Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane by ten places.

It was 23 Premier League goals for the Spurs forward last season, giving him a share of the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah as he helped fire his club back into the Champions League.

Mahrez just outside top ten

Monday 17 October 2022 17:45 , Matt Verri

Feels like Riyad Mahrez faces a constant battle to even get into the Manchester City team, but he’s done enough to finish 12th in the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

The Algerian had the most goalscoring season of his career, netting 24 times with seven of those coming in Europe.

Tough life when you’re the 12th best player in the world and still only get three Premier League starts so far this campaign.

Haller ranking confirmed

Monday 17 October 2022 17:39 , Matt Verri

It’s 13th in the voting for Sebastian Haller.

The forward had a sensational season for Ajax, scoring 34 goals in all competitions and netting 11 in his first seven Champions League matches.

Haller is currently undergoing treatment for a malignant testicular tumour.

Two players in a share for 14th

Monday 17 October 2022 17:33 , Matt Verri

Rafael Leao and Fabinho the next two players to find out their rankings. The duo share 14th in the voting.

Leao has shone for AC Milan, so much so there has been plenty of talk about a potential big-money move to Chelsea, while Fabinho was a key part of Liverpool’s charge on all fronts last season.

Been a bit more difficult for the Brazilian this campaign, as it has for many of his team-mates, but that doesn’t have an impact on the voting for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

‘Messi is the Ballon d’Or'

Monday 17 October 2022 17:27 , Matt Verri

For the first time since 2005, Lionel Messi has not been nominated for the Ballon d’Or while Cristiano Ronaldo is 20th in the voting.

France Football chief Pascal Ferre believes it is an award that means more to players than any other, but warned the next generation of football stars that they have a long way to go before they are ready to take the baton from Messi and Ronaldo.

“In 2019 [Messi] told me that he had forgotten the feeling of pleasure that came from winning it, he had realised that he missed it,” Ferre said.

“The Ballon d’Or is Messi and Messi is the Ballon d’Or. It is a very important award for them. The Ballon d’Or is one of the few things that cannot be bought. That makes them humble in the face of this type of reward, it makes them children.

“There is a lot of talk about the rivalry between Mbappe and Haaland, but neither of them has won the Champions League. At Mbappe’s age, Messi already had two Ballon d’Ors. If they want to establish a similar rivalry they have to start winning big trophies already. Messi and Ronaldo didn’t take so long.”

Kane leads the way for England stars

Monday 17 October 2022 17:20 , Matt Verri

What we do know from the results so far - Harry Kane was the best English player last season according to the Ballon d’Or voting.

He finished 21st, just ahead of international team-mates Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold in a share of 22nd.

A strong England showing in Qatar at the World Cup next month and the likes of Kane will be eyeing much higher than 21st for next year’s award!

Van Dijk 16th in the voting

Monday 17 October 2022 17:12 , Matt Verri

Virgil van Dijk very nearly won the Ballon d’Or in 2019, finishing second after Lionel Messi just edged him by a few votes.

No such lofty heights for the Liverpool defender this year, he’s 16th. Would likely have been very different had the Reds beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Fabinho and Mohamed Salah the two Liverpool players still in the running.

On we go...

Monday 17 October 2022 17:04 , Matt Verri

Next up, three players in a tie for 17th. Luis Diaz, Dusan Vlahovic and Casemiro.

Diaz moved to Liverpool halfway through last season and made a flying start to life at Anfield, while Vlahovic earned a transfer to Juventus and was also linked with Arsenal.

Casemiro picked up yet another Champions League trophy, before moving on to join Man United in the summer.

Ronaldo in 20th

Monday 17 October 2022 16:58 , Matt Verri

A familiar name when it comes to the Ballon d’Or - Cristiano Ronaldo. He is 20th in the voting, and this is the 18th time has been nominated.

That’s as low as the five-time winner has finished since 2005, when he was also in 20th. He’s expected to be in Paris tonight for the ceremony, but it’s fair to say Ronaldo won’t be in a celebratory mood.

Star-studded plane out of Madrid!

Monday 17 October 2022 16:55 , Matt Verri

Benzema and Courtois among the current Real Madrid players who have arrived in Paris ahead of tonight’s ceremony.

They had some company on the plane, with Ballon d’Or winners Luis Figo (2000) and Ronaldo (1997 and 2002) joining them.

Makings of a decent five-a-side team there...

Alexander-Arnold with up-and-down few months

Monday 17 October 2022 16:49 , Matt Verri

So Trent Alexander-Arnold in a share of 22nd.

Five months ago he was a crucial part of a Liverpool side that went into the final days of the season still in the hunt for an historic quadruple.

Now he finds himself fighting for his place in the England squad and facing criticism for his defensive qualities after a poor start to the campaign.

It’s been a rocky few months for the right-back, but his place on the Ballon d’Or shortlist is further evidence of just how highly-rated he is around Europe.

Kane ranking confirmed

Monday 17 October 2022 16:38 , Matt Verri

Harry Kane is 21st in the 2022 Ballon d’Or voting.

He scored 27 goals in all competitions last season for Tottenham, having started the campaign pushing for a move away from the club.

Kane swiftly put that behind him though and found his goalscoring form.

Reveal continues...

Monday 17 October 2022 16:32 , Matt Verri

The latest set of rankings have been confirmed.

In a tie for 22nd, we have Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden. The Premier League trio all received two nominations.

Nunez rewarded for Benfica form

Monday 17 October 2022 16:24 , Matt Verri

So it was Nunez’s form for Benfica that got him both a move to Liverpool and a place on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, with 34 goals last season, but he has to settle for a tie of 25th.

Nkunku looks destined to finish higher than that in the years to come, while Cancelo will be right up there next year if he can continue his form and help City to win the Champions League.

Rudiger the first Real player to have his ranking confirmed, even though he was shortlisted for his Chelsea displays.

AC Milan goalkeeper Maignan helped his side to the Serie A title, while Joshua Kimmich is probably the type of player who will never truly get the recognition he deserves when it comes to individual awards.

First rankings!

Monday 17 October 2022 16:12 , Matt Verri

Here we go, we have our first results. Six players are in a share of 25th, with one nomination each.

They are Darwin Nunez, Christopher Nkunku, Joao Cancelo, Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich and Mike Maignan.

We’ll believe it when we see it...

Monday 17 October 2022 16:07 , Matt Verri

Bad news for Haaland

Monday 17 October 2022 16:04 , Matt Verri

Reminder that the voting for the Ballon d’Or is based on performances over last season, rather than over a calendar year as it has been in the past.

That means Erling Haaland’s incredible start to this season for Manchester City will not help him tonight, though it sets him up to be a serious contender next year.

With Real Madrid dominating in Spain and Europe last season, they are likely to have a strong night when the full results are announced during the ceremony.

Muller backs Lewandowski

Monday 17 October 2022 15:53 , Matt Verri

Thomas Muller is staying loyal to Robert Lewandowski when it comes to who he wants to win tonight, despite the Polish striker leaving Bayern Munich for Barcelona in the summer.

“I have to go for Lewandowski,” Muller said in support of his former team-mate.

When asked if Benzema deserved to win the award this year, Muller responded: “I know what you mean. Benzema had a very good season and is a very good player.”

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