Along with the World Cup, it is the most envied trophy by footballers around the world.
For its 66th edition, the Ballon d'Or, created in 1956 by the magazine France Football, has changed in 2022. For all lovers of the greatest individual trophy in the most popular sport, you will have to tick two dates in its diary.
The first is set for August 12 with the list of 30 nominees.
The second will take place two months later, on October 17 with the revelation of the new Ballon d'Or during a ceremony which will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
SAVE THE DATE AND SEE YOU IN OCTOBER!
🌕📅
📍 @theatrechatelet - Paris#ballondor pic.twitter.com/k3LtGP5caL
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) May 24, 2022
In previous editions, the ceremony took place at the end of November, beginning of December, but the holding of the World Cup in Qatar, at the end of 2022, forced the organizers to review their plans.
Plans changed far beyond a simple change of date.
Indeed, for the first time since 1956, the Ballon d'Or will be awarded at the end of a sports season and no longer a calendar year.
This is the main change.
Thus, the World Cup in Qatar 2022 will come into consideration for the awarding of the next Ballon d'Or in 2023.
For the 2022 edition, we will therefore have to wait until October 17 to find out the name of the best footballer on the planet who will succeed Lionel Messi, winner last year for the 7th time and this is a record.
The jury, made up of journalists from France Football and L'Équipe as well as Didier Drogba and two of the most relevant international reporters, will unveil the list of 30 nominees on August 12, which will certainly include Karim Benzema, one of the big favourites, after his crazy season with Real Madrid.
The Spaniards who will be expected this Saturday at the Stade de France in the Champions League final against Sadio Mané's Liverpool, the other favorite.
