da heads bet： The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 28, but will Jude Bellingham or Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid walk off with the top award?

da fazobetai： Article continues below

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Title of best player on the planet to be handed outRace for prestigious award dominated by Real starsManagers will also be recognised at glitzy showWHAT HAPPENED?

The Blancos pair are considered to be leading contenders for the most prestigious of individual accolades, with their exploits across the 2023-24 campaign putting them in contention to be named the best player on the planet.

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Both boast ambition of following in the legendary footsteps of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated the Ballon d’Or vote for the best part of two decades – with a new name expected to etched onto a star-studded roll of honour when France Football hands over its famous Golden Ball.

GOALDID YOU KNOW?

It has been revealed that said ceremony will take place in late October, with the shortlist of Ballon d’Or contenders – across the men and women’s game – set to be revealed on September 4. Bellingham and Vinicius Jr will figure on that list, alongside the likes of Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden, France international Kylian Mbappe – who has just joined Real – and World Cup-winning midfielder Toni Kroos.

WHAT NEXT?

It has also been announced that two new prizes will be added to the glitzy Ballon d’Or show. Having previously recognised the best player, goalkeeper, goal and young player, the finest managers in the men's and women’s games will also be presented with Coach of the Year trophies.