All posts tagged: Ballon

Why will Ballon d’Or ceremony take place from London instead of Paris in 2026

Why will Ballon d’Or ceremony take place from London instead of Paris in 2026

Published by Webster

3 min readUpdated: May 28, 2026 08:54 PM IST The annual Ballon d’Or ceremony which crowns the best men’s and women’s players in football will create history this year when it moves out from its traditional Paris home to London in October. The venue change was due to mark the 70th anniversary of the first award won by England great Stanley Matthews, co-organizers France Football magazine and UEFA announced on Thursday. London also is the home city of England record scorer Harry Kane and the Arsenal team which won its first Premier League title in 22 years and plays for a first Champions League title on Saturday against Paris Saint-Germain. Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games of a standout season for German champion Bayern Munich. That career-best total included 14 in the Champions League, where Bayern was edged by PSG in the semifinals, plus five more for England in a World Cup qualifying group. The men’s Ballon d’Or in Paris last year was won by Ousmane Dembele after PSG won its first Champions League …

‘Insulted’ Karim Benzema refuses to play for Al-Ittihad: Why Ballon d’Or winner feels he’s being asked to ‘play for free’ | Football News

‘Insulted’ Karim Benzema refuses to play for Al-Ittihad: Why Ballon d’Or winner feels he’s being asked to ‘play for free’ | Football News

Published by Parlour News

2 min readJan 30, 2026 02:39 PM IST Karim Benzema may not be playing in the Saudi Pro League after this season. The French striker, who plays for Al-Ittihad, is reportedly incensed at the contract extension offer put forward by the League, who are his employers rather than the team. So incensed that according to media reports he has refused to play for the club anymore until the contract situation is dealt with. A report in French publication L’Équipe noted that Benzema’s camp found the offer “insulting” and believed that accepting it would amount to “playing for free”. Last season, Benzema had captained Al-Ittihad to a league and cup double, which had raised his hopes that he would be offered a bigger contract from the league. This season too, Benzema has discovered his hot streak, scoring 16 goals in 21 league and cup matches. But when the offer from SPL’s director of football Michael Emenalo reportedly arrived on Wednesday, just days before the transfer window shuts, Benzema was livid, according to Foot Mercato. Benzema has …

“…You Can’t Win”: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Blunt Take On Lionel Messi Winning More Ballon d’Ors

“…You Can’t Win”: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Blunt Take On Lionel Messi Winning More Ballon d’Ors

Published by Webster

Two of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominated the global football spectrum for about 15 years. The two didn’t just sweep the majority of team awards with their clubs but also shone in the individual spotlight. Over the years, Ronaldo went on to clinch the coveted Ballon d’Or title 5 times, while Messi took the individual honour home on 7 occasions. There remain very few things separating Messi and Ronaldo on the football scale, but it’s the Argentine who has the edge when it comes to individual awards. Ronaldo, in an interview with Spanish outlet La Sexta, admitted that he used to feel anguished upon seeing Messi beat him to the award on certain occasions. But has learned to process the emotion in a healthier way, saying the Ballon d’Or award has lost its credibility. During the interview, Ronaldo also reiterated his stance in the 2024 Ballon d’Or, saying Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. should’ve won the accolade over Manchester City midfielder Rodri. “There is no credibility, …

‘It was unfair’: Cristiano Ronaldo on Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or over Vinicius Jr | Football News

‘It was unfair’: Cristiano Ronaldo on Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or over Vinicius Jr | Football News

Published by Webster

Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday weighed in on the decision to hand the men’s Ballon d’Or award to Manchester City’s Rodri, saying Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. deserved to win instead. “In my opinion he (Vinicius) deserved to win the golden ball. It was unfair, I say it here in front of everybody,” said the Portuguese captain, who has won the award five times. Vinicius Jr., 24, scored 24 goals in 39 appearances across all club competitions last season to help Real clinch the LaLiga and Champions League double last season, and also scored in their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund. However, he was pipped to the award by Rodri in October, after the midfielder led City to a fourth straight Premier League title last season before inspiring Spain to Euro 2024 success. The awards ceremony was not attended by Vinicius’ club Real, who decided to boycott it in anticipation of him not winning the men’s award. “I really love the way they do their career, (Jude) Bellingham, Lamine (Yamal) now, this …

After Ballon D’Or Miss, Vinicius Jr Crowned FIFA ‘The Best’ Men’s Player Of The Year 2024

After Ballon D’Or Miss, Vinicius Jr Crowned FIFA ‘The Best’ Men’s Player Of The Year 2024

Published by Webster

Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior won the FIFA Best men’s player of the year award at a ceremony in Doha on Tuesday, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati picked up the women’s prize for the second time. The award comes two months after 24-year-old Vinicius was second in the Ballon d’Or, with Real electing to snub the ceremony when they found out beforehand that Manchester City midfielder Rodri was set to win the trophy. But the Brazilian was this time on hand to collect the prize in person as he is in Qatar with his club ahead of their Intercontinental Cup final clash with Mexico’s Pachuca on Wednesday. Vinicius succeeds Lionel Messi as the FIFA Best men’s player after the Argentinian scooped up the last two editions of the award. The live wire forward scored 24 goals and laid on 11 assists in 39 matches across all competitions as he led Real to a La Liga and Champions League double last season. Having already wrapped up his third La Liga title in May, Vinicius …

‘Why would it hurt me?’: Rodri on Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid skipping Ballon d’Or ceremony | Football News

‘Why would it hurt me?’: Rodri on Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid skipping Ballon d’Or ceremony | Football News

Published by Webster

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri said that he does not have an issue with Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid skipping the ceremony last month after the Brazilian and his club reportedly did not wish to attend when they found out that he would finish second. “Why would it hurt me? It was my moment, to enjoy with my family. The last thing I’d be thinking about is people who weren’t there, and didn’t want to participate,” Rodri said in an interview with COPE radio. “I respect Vinicius hugely, and Real Madrid, and anyone who knows me knows it… I’d vote for [Dani] Carvajal, and Vinicius too. Maybe Carvajal second,” he added. The 28-year-old Rodri, who was a leading figure in Manchester City’s English Premier League title triumph also played a pivotal role in Spain’s European Championship victory. “An incredible night for me. It’s a special day for me, my family and my country,” Rodri had said upon receiving the award. “I always try to improve every day, the level of my game, [playing] the modern holding …

Vinicius deserved Ballon d’Or more, says Rodri’s Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola | Football News

Vinicius deserved Ballon d’Or more, says Rodri’s Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola | Football News

Published by Webster

Since he was announced as the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Rodri winning the highest individual honor in world football over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr has been a divisive topic in the sport. While the defensive midfielder was an important figure in Manchester City’s English Premier League and Spain’s European Championship win, the Brazil and Real Madrid winger was touted as the favorite to win the award until Sunday. Even Rodri’s club manager has stated that had Vincius won the award given by France football, it would have been ‘more deserved’. When asked about it by the reporters, Pep Guardiola on Tuesday said, “Of course, if (Vinicius) won, it would have been more than deserved.” Explaining his point of view, Guardiola cited the instance of Erling Haaland. The City striker had been nominated for the award in 2023 after the English champions completed a treble but was eclipsed by Lionel Messi, who had won the World Cup with Argentina in the previous season. “Erling won the …

‘Ronaldo is a monster and Messi, father of the monster,’ says Pep Guardiola on the duo’s Ballon d’Or streak | Football News

‘Ronaldo is a monster and Messi, father of the monster,’ says Pep Guardiola on the duo’s Ballon d’Or streak | Football News

Published by Webster

Manchester City’s Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or on Monday marked the first occasion a Spaniard won the prestigious award since 1960. His club manager Pep Guardiola believes while other Spanish players did come close, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were prime reasons behind them not winning the award. “In the last decade, Spanish football has made such a difference – they’ve won a World Cup, a Euros – and Spain were never able to win this award before,” said Guardiola, who termed Rodri’s win as a fitting tribute to the importance of Spanish players in 21st century football. The former Barcelona manager added, “I remember once we nominated three players from La Masia. Xavi and Iniesta couldn’t win it because Messi’s a monster and nobody could beat him – just Cristiano [Ronaldo]. He’s a monster and the father of the monster is Messi.” 2024 Ballon d’Or awards marked the first instance of neither Messi nor Ronaldo being named in the final 30-men shortlist for the award. While Messi has won the honor more than any …

Vinicius Jr. Breaks Silence As Rodri Beats Him To Ballon d’Or 2024 Title

Vinicius Jr. Breaks Silence As Rodri Beats Him To Ballon d’Or 2024 Title

Published by Webster

Following his second-place finish for the men’s Ballon d’Or award, Brazil and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior broke his silence on being snubbed for the top award. Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been named the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or winner following his outstanding performance during the 2023-24 season, in which he helped his club secure the English Premier League title for the fourth consecutive time. Rodri also played a crucial role for the Spanish national team, contributing to their victory at the 2024 Euros in Germany, where they defeated England 2-1 in July. He was named Player of the Tournament. The 28-year-old defensive midfielder was instrumental throughout last season, providing defensive stability as well as key passes for both his club and country, totalling 14 assists in all competitions. Additionally, Rodri scored 10 goals during the 2023-24 season. With this win, he becomes the first Premier League player to receive the Ballon d’Or since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in 2008 while at Manchester United. After Rodri won the award, the 24-year-old Vinicius, well …

Vinicius believes racism fight led to Ballon d’Or 2024 snub: ‘Will do it 10x’ | Football News

Vinicius believes racism fight led to Ballon d’Or 2024 snub: ‘Will do it 10x’ | Football News

Published by Webster

Vinicius Jr said that he will keep on fighting racism even if his activism may have come at the cost of winning the Ballon d’Or on Monday. Vinicius took to social media after finishing second in the prestigious award voting behind Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri. “I will do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready,” the Real Madrid forward posted on X after his club cancelled plans to attend the ceremony in Paris, boycotting it in anticipation of the Brazilian not winning the men’s award. According to Reuters, Vinicius’ management staff confirmed that the 24-year-old was referring to his fight against racism in his social media post, believing that has influenced the decision in his Ballon d’Or award snub. He intended that “the football world is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system.” Eu farei 10x se for preciso. Eles não estão preparados. — Vini Jr. (@vinijr) October 28, 2024 The prestigious award hosted by France Football is based on voting by a panel of journalists …