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Showing posts with the label Ballon d'Or

Piero Hincapie: Arsenal's Exciting New Defender On A £45m Loan Deal.

Arsenal’s Summer Ambitions Meet Hincapie’s Rising Star Weapons store have reliably illustrated driven squad-building beneath Mikel Arteta, focusing on youthful, flexible gifts balanced to raise the team's play presently and within the future. Piero Hincapie—a 23-year-old Ecuadorian defender known for his aggression, technical ability, and adaptability—perfectly aligns with this strategy. The bargain: a season-long advance from Bayer Leverkusen, including an alternative to purchase for a add up to potential taken a toll of £52 million (£45 million/$61 million), additionally a 10% sell-on clause for Leverkusen in case Weapons store trigger the purchase. For Arsenal, this structure delivers squad depth without immediate financial strain, while Leverkusen secure long-term value from one of their top assets. Hincapie’s Profile: From South America to Bundesliga Standout Early Rise: Hincapie risen from Ecuador's Independiente del Valle, inspiring with his development and constancy so...
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Countdown To The 2025 Ballon D'Or: Nominees Revealed And Ceremony Details.

The football world is buzzing with anticipation as we approach one of the most prestigious nights in soccer: the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony . With the nominees set to be announced and the ceremony date fast approaching, this year's edition promises to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory. When and Where: Mark Your Calendars The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled for September 22, 2025 , and will be held at the famous Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris . This iconic venue has hosted football's elite for years, creating an atmosphere of glamour and excellence that befits the world's most coveted individual soccer award. The nominees for the award are set to be announced on August 7, 2025, giving football fans around the globe their first official glimpse at who will be competing for the golden ball this year. The New Era: Post-Messi and Ronaldo Dominance Rodri won the Ballon d'Or after having an amazing year with Manchester City and Spain, ...
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The PR Game: How Coaches And Players Shape Ballon D'Or Outcomes.

The world's top football player is honored annually with the Ballon d'Or, the sport's most coveted individual honor. While talent and performance on the pitch are the primary criteria, the influence of public relations (PR), media narratives, and endorsements cannot be ignored. Coaches, teammates, agents, and even rival players play a crucial role in shaping perceptions that sway Ballon d’Or votes. This blog explores the behind-the-scenes PR strategies that impact Ballon d’Or outcomes. From media campaigns to locker room politics, we’ll uncover how narratives are crafted, reputations are managed, and votes are influenced—sometimes beyond pure footballing merit. 1. Who Makes the Final Decision in the Ballon d'Or Voting System? Before diving into PR tactics, it’s essential to understand how the Ballon d’Or is decided: Voters include journalists, captains, and coaches of FIFA-ranked national teams. Criteria : Performance over the calendar year, individual brilliance, team...
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The 2025 Ballon d'Or Race: Who Will Claim Football’s Ultimate Prize?

The Ballon d'Or remains the most coveted individual award in football, recognizing the best player in the world based on performances throughout the season. With football evolving each year, the 2025 Ballon d’Or race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. As legendary figures like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have moved past their era of dominance, the stage is now set for a new generation of superstars to battle for supremacy. This year, three players stand out as the most likely contenders for the golden ball—each bringing unique strengths, achievements, and compelling narratives. Let's dive deep into who could be crowned the world's best player and what factors might influence their victory. 1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - The Premier League’s King Few players have displayed the level of consistency and excellence that Mohamed Salah has in the past decade. The Egyptian winger has been the heartbeat of Liverpool, leading them to a Premier L...
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The new favorite to win the Ballon d'Or is Ousmane Dembélé.

The new bookmakers' favorite to win the Ballon d'Or is 27-year-old Ousmane Dembélé, who helped PSG advance to the UEFA Champions League final. After rivals were defeated in their attempt to win the France Football award, the 27-year-old has shifted into favoritism. Lamine Yamal (17) of Barcelona was the previous favorite to win the accolade, which honors a player as the best in the world. The Spanish international winger's chances of taking home the Ballon d'Or suffered when Barcelona lost to Inter in the Champions League semifinals. In the final, PSG will play the Serie A team. Dembélé's opportunity to accomplish what Yamal is unable to do—win the UEFA Champions League—has made him the new favorite. The France international has already had a tremendous season, winning Ligue 1 and scoring 33 goals and dishing out 13 assists in 46 games. Dembélé's incredible season might get even better because PSG is still in the running for the Champions League and the Cou...
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Rodri responds to Cristiano Ronaldo's 'unfair' Ballon d'Or verdict.

The Manchester City midfielder's Ballon d'Or victory has been questioned yet again. Rodri, a Manchester City midfielder, has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo's claim that his Ballon d'Or win was 'unfair'. In October, the Spaniard won football's most coveted individual trophy in Paris, becoming the first Premier League player to do so since Ronaldo in 2008. Although the event was not without controversy, Real Madrid boycotted the entire ceremony since Vinicius Junior did not get the honor. Now, the former Manchester United and Los Blancos forward, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has chimed in on the debate, arguing why the Brazilian should have won instead. "In my opinion, he (Vinicius) deserved to win the Golden Ball [Ballon d'Or]. It was unfair, in my opinion. "I say [it] here in front of everyone," he stated at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. "They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too, but they should have given it to Vinicius b...
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The Ballon d'Or organizers reveal the razor-thin margin by which Rodri defeated Vinicius Jr. in voting.

Rodri won the 2024 men's Ballon d'Or by just 41 points over Vinicius Jr, according to the coveted yearly prize's organizers. The Manchester City and Spain midfielder defeated the Brazilian forward for the individual prize, causing Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid to skip the presentation in Paris. According to L'Equipe, Rodri has 1170 points to Vinicius' 1129, ahead of the full publication of voting results by organizers France Football. Each of the 99 judges for the men's award named a top ten for the Ballon d'Or, with each first-place vote worth 15 points, followed by 12, 10, eight, seven, five, four, three, two, and one point for the tenth-place spot. Five jurors did not vote for Rodri, while three voted against Vinicius. Ademola Lookman, who helped Atalanta win the Europa League, received an unexpected first-place vote, but Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lautaro Martinez also topped lists, as did a number of Real Madrid players. The Spanish team did n...
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Rodri discusses Real Madrid's intention to boycott the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has spoken out about Real Madrid's plan to boycott the 2024 Ballon d'Or presentation following the Spaniard's victory. The 28-year-old made history earlier this week by becoming the first Etihad Stadium player to win the accolade, which acknowledges the finest footballer in the world for both club and nation during the previous year. Rodri became the first classic defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d'Or since German football idol and legend Lothar Matthaus, yet many will argue that the Manchester City star is far more than just that. However, most of the discussion surrounding the ceremony, both before and after it took place, focused on Real Madrid and the Spanish club's decision to skip the evening after learning that Vinicius Jr would not be winning the title ahead of Rodri. The La Liga club's stance was in stark contrast to Manchester City's one year prior, when many had expected Erling Haaland to win the trophy o...
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Inter’s Lautaro Martinez on his Ballon D’or finish: “I expected more” .

Lautaro Martinez, an Inter striker, indicated earlier this week that he expected to finish higher in the Ballon D'Or rankings. Martinez finished eighth in the rankings, prompting conflicting reactions from Serie A supporters who believed he could have ended higher. Today, he scored against Empoli, becoming the highest scoring non-Italian player in Nerazzurri history, cementing his place as a famous character in the club's history. Following the victory over ten-man Empoli, the Argentine spoke with DAZN about the Ballon D'or rankings, saying, as recounted by TMW: "It may be improved. Honestly, I expected more, but I work for Inter and Argentina, and these prizes are not always chosen correctly. I'm getting back into shape; I arrived late. We all strive to give our all on the field; we must continue down this route." Martinez started the season hesitantly, but he has made his mark in recent weeks. He has four goals and three assists in the league so far. He ...
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For the first time in 21 years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not on the Ballon d'Or shortlist.

In 2024, the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or looked slightly different. As France Football magazine announced the 30 nominees in batches of five, supporters expected to see at least Lionel Messi's name after his Copa America success in the summer, and possibly Cristiano Ronaldo after his 50 goals for Al Nassr last season. However, neither Messi nor Ronaldo were among the final five players revealed. Ronaldo was less surprising. The 39-year-old had already missed 2023 and struggled to make an impression for Portugal at Euro 2024, demonstrating that the Saudi Pro League is a step below the standard he left behind in Europe. Messi has also left European club football, joining Inter Miami in 2023. He did, however, win the Ballon d'Or that year, as a prize for Argentina's World Cup victory in 2022. His complete exclusion from the list of nominees came as a shock. Messi, at 37, would have been vying for a record-extending ninth Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo has won five, and the pai...
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Check out the complete list of 2024 Ballon d'Or nominations.

Following Wednesday's revelations, the entire list of nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award was announced. Men’s Ballon d’Or Women’s Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy (Best Under-21 Player) Yacine Trophy (The Best Goalkeeper) Men's Club Of The Year.  Woman's Club of the Year. Best Coach for a Men's Team. Best Coach for a Women's Team 
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Ronaldinho sharply criticizes Brazil before of the Copa América.

Brazil star Ronaldinho was unmistakably optimistic about his country's chances in the Copa América 2024 in the United States this summer. The mood in the Brazil camp has been low as of late due to some disappointing performances, the most recent of which was a 1-1 draw with the United States, who were thrashed 5-1 by Colombia only days earlier. In an interview on Friday, the former Barcelona and AC Milan superstar gave his thoughts on Brazil's chances in the forthcoming event. "I'm not going to watch any of the games," he stated. "Everything is missing—determination, joy, and poor performance. I'm not going to watch a single game." Brazil begins their Group D campaign against Costa Rica on Monday. 
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The 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony date has been revealed.

The Ballon d'Or X account has officially announced that the 2024 Ballon d'Or event will take place on Monday, October 28, at Paris' Théâtre du Châtelet. This will be the 68th edition of football's most prestigious individual award. Argentina's Lionel Messi is the current winner, having won the Ballon d'Or for the record seventh time last year. Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati won the 2023 Women's Ballon d'Or after winning the World Cup and the Champions League. The nominations for the Ballon d'Or will be announced on Wednesday, September 4. Two new trophies will be handed out in Paris next fall. The Ballon d'Or organizers stated that the greatest coaches from the 2023-2024 season will be recognized with the women's and men's coach of the year medals. Starting this season, UEFA will co-organize the Ballon d'Or with the French monthly magazine France Football. On Monday, October 28, ten trophies will be awarded at the Ballon d'Or cere...
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Real Madrid now hosts the top four Ballon d'Or hopefuls.

The most recent Ballon d'Or odds accurately reflect Real Madrid's domination in La Liga this season. Carlo Ancelotti's soldiers, of course, have just completed a domestic and European double.  After locking up the La Liga title, Los Blancos traveled to Wembley Stadium over the weekend for a Champions League final match against Borussia Dortmund. When all was said and done, Real came out on top with a 2-0 victory, retaining their crown as the continent's finest. Meanwhile, the capital club's key performers have received individual recognition as a result of their combined accomplishment. Recently, Jude Bellingham was selected La Liga Player of the Season, while Vinícius Jr. received the same honor in the Champions League. The 'big one', however, remains the Ballon d'Or. And, if the recent bookmaker odds are any indication, a member of Ancelotti's squad will shortly be voted Europe's finest player. The top four players in the Ballon d'Or standi...
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Gareth Southgate rejects Harry Kane's 'audacious' penalty request: 'Never going to happen'.

Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Harry Kane requested to come off the bench to take England's penalty in their victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that the captain will start against Iceland on Friday. Kane scored England's third goal in the final half hour as Southgate's team won 3-0 over Bosnia in a warm-up friendly at St James' Park to kick off preparations for the European Championship. Cole Palmer opened the score from the penalty spot in the game's final act after Ezri Konsa was fouled, and Kane was one of several substitutes made soon after the goal. In between, Trent Alexander-Arnold scored as an experimental England side turned things around in the second half after a dull first 45 minutes. "He had the audacity to ask to come on and to score the penalty which was never going to happen," Southgate remarked regarding Kane. "The goal for him today was to have half an hour, and then he would start on Friday. "I thought the intensi...
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Kylian Mbappe confirms PSG departure ahead of his likely summer move to Real Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe has stated that he will leave PSG at the conclusion of the season, citing the desire to leave France for a "new challenge". Mbappe is largely expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer, with the attacker set to sign a five-year contract worth £12.8 million per season and a £128 million signing fee. That has not yet been confirmed, but Mbappe informed PSG early this season that he wished to leave the club, opening the way for his move to Madrid, which has been inevitable in recent years. The 25-year-old will not have a great farewell to his seven years at the club, as they were defeated by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-finals, and he has now revealed his impending exit, ahead of PSG's final home game of the season on Sunday against Toulouse. Mbappe said in a video uploaded on his social media channels: "I've always said that I'd talk with you when the time comes, so I wanted to inform you all that this is my final y...
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Lewandowski dreams of a retroactive Ballon d'Or win.

Between 2020 and 2021, Robert Lewandowski had the most successful period of his career with FC Bayern. However, the Polish international did not win the Ballon d'Or. However, there are suspicions that the 2020 prize will be handed retrospectively. Lewandowski has not lost hope in this regard. Even at the age of 35, Robert Lewandowski maintains an impressive goal-scoring record. This season, the Barça attacker has 20 goals and nine assists in 43 competitive appearances. However, the striker unquestionably had his best years at FC Bayern. Lewandowski also sees it this way. He told Sport BILD that 2020 and 2021 were the best years of his career. A friend recently texted me this statistic: "I scored 100 goals in 85 games." In both years, the Pole was named FIFA World Player of the Year, but he was denied the Ballon d'Or. Retrospective honor for Lewandowski?  However, there are now suggestions that the 2020 prize may be handed retrospectively. Regardless of the delay, Lewa...
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