Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp have made the shortlist of 30 players for the Ballon d’Or Feminin, while Wiegman herself has been nominated for women’s coach of the year. Although James is injured, the Lionesses are preparing for the friendly against South Africa in Coventry on Tuesday evening as the Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place and neither Bronze nor Hemp will be able to take part in the star-studded evening.

It will be similar for several other leading countries in Europe and Aitana Bonmati, the favorite to retain the Ballon d’Or Feminin, will have to play for Spain in Italy on Tuesday evening.

There was one goalkeeper, Lev Yashin, and a trio of defenders, although Fabio Cannavaro was more of a stopper than German midfielders Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer, who had been converted into sweepers. But there has never been a defensive midfielder. The Ballon d’Or is almost seventy years old and Rodri, the man who won Manchester City’s first Champions League, could also make history in another respect.

But why would he? The Ballon d’Or is usually reserved for attackers and players with flair. His job description implies selflessness. The defensive midfielder is constructed in such a way that others can take the credit. And yet the paradox of Rodri is that he has reached such a level, achieved so much himself for his respective teams, that the spotlight is back on him.

Today sees the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with the best of men’s and women’s football descending on the Theater du Chatelet in Paris for an evening of awards and celebrations.

Considered the most prestigious awards show in the industry, this is a night where legends are born and join Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the pantheon of greatness.

Two new awards will be introduced this year, with the Men’s Coach of the Year and the Women’s Coach of the Year joining a full list headlined by the Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Feminin awards.

Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Rodri are widely considered favorites for the men’s award in a year when it is incredibly likely that a winner will be crowned for the first time after Messi and Ronaldo won 13 of the previous 15 awards.

After winning LaLiga and the Champions League, Vinicius and Bellingham share a common advantage over Rodri, who is a surprise contender given his position as a defensive midfielder. Vinicius scored 21 goals and nine assists in La Liga and the Champions League as Bellingham enjoyed a brilliant debut season at the Bernabéu, including a number of decisive late winners to keep Madrid in the hunt for silverware.

Vinicius Jr. will reportedly not travel to Paris for the ceremony tonight, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The same report confirms that no one from Real Madrid will attend the glamorous ceremony in Paris as the Spanish giants internally believe Vinicius Jr. won’t win the Ballon d’Or.

It looks like the top prize will go elsewhere, with Florentino Pérez, Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal all opting to stay home.