The prestigious Ballon d'Or awards ceremony is back and we have everything that you need to know about this special annual event.

Each year, the footballing world takes a step back from the pitches to recognise who is the greatest player in the world, as well as an array of other awards that are handed out on the night including the best XI.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo have gone head to head over the past 10 years for this elusive accolade - with the pair taking eight of the last nine awards between them. 

Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or awards of all time, with six to the Argentinian's name, with Ronaldo close behind with five. With last year's event cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 will be the year where the world's best player is crowned once more.

Scroll down to see the winners of the Ballon d'Or during the 2010s:

Messi with his six Ballon d'Or awards - a record in football.
  • 2010: Lionel Messi
  • 2011: Lionel Messi
  • 2012: Lionel Messi
  • 2013: Cristiano Ronaldo
  • 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo
  • 2015: Lionel Messi
  • 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo
  • 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo
  • 2018: Luka Modric
  • 2019: Lionel Messi
  • 2020: No award ceremony took place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2021: TBA

But with Messi and Ronaldo no longer playing in Spain, it looks likely that the personal accolade will move away from the Southern European nation for the first time since Ronaldo picked up the award while playing for Manchester United in 2008.

So, what about this year's event? Here is everything that we know so far about the Ballon d'Or 2021.


Ballon d'Or 2021 Date

Lionel Messi pictured with the Ballon d'Or trophy.

The winner of the Ballon d'Or 2021 will be announced during the presentation which will take place on Monday 29th November 2021.

Read more: Ballon d’Or 2021 Date: When Will The Event Take Place?


Ballon d'Or 2021 UK Time

The event will get underway tonight at 7:30 pm GMT and can be watched via Paramount+ or L'Equipe.


Ballon d'Or 2021 Nominees

Ballon d'Or World XI in 2015

The nominees for this year's award have been published by France Football and both the men's and women's listings can be found below.

Men's Nominees

  • Cesar Azpilicueta
  • Nicolo Barella
  • Karim Benzema
  • Leonardo Bonucci
  • Kevin de Bruyne
  • Giorgio Chiellini
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Ruben Dias
  • Gianluigi Donnarumma
  • Bruno Fernandes
  • Phil Foden 
  • Erling Haaland
  • Jorginho
  • Harry Kane
  • N'Golo Kante
  • Simon Kjaer
  • Robert Lewandowski
  • Romelu Lukaku
  • Riyad Mahrez
  • Lautaro Martinez
  • Kylian Mbappe
  • Lionel Messi
  • Luka Modric
  • Gerard Moreno
  • Mason Mount
  • Neymar
  • Pedri
  • Mohamed Salah
  • Raheem Sterling
  • Luis Suarez

Women's Nominees

  • Marie-Antionette Katoto
  • Stina Blackstenius
  • Magdelena Eriksson
  • Sam Keer
  • Alexia Putellas
  • Wendie Renard
  • Samantha Mewis
  • Pernille Harder
  • Vivianne Miedema
  • Sandra Panos
  • Lieke Martens
  • Jessie Fleming
  • Irene Paredes
  • Ashley Lawrence
  • Christine Sinclair
  • Ellen White
  • Christiane Endler
  • Jennifer Hermoso
  • Fran Kirby
  • Kadidiatou Diani

Ballon d'Or 2021 WInner

The winner of the 2021 Men's Ballon d'Or was Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi who won a record seventh title as the best footballer in the world.

Barcelona star Alexis Putellas won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for the first time.


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