Ballon d’Or results: Live updates and rankings for soccer’s top awards

We may not know who will win the 2021 Ballon d’Or awards, but what’s certain is that there will be plenty of raging debate after the winners are named in a gala held Monday in Paris. 

The speculation is that Lionel Messi will win the award for best men’s player in the world, though Robert Lewandowski is thought to be in with a chance. Alexia Putellas and Vivianne Miedema are believed to be the frontrunners for the women’s award. The best goalkeeper, best men’s Under-21 player and two other awards also will be announced.

Media around the world voted for three of the awards — the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or and the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper — and 32 former Ballon d’Or winners are voting on the best young men’s player. The new awards have not yet been identified by France Football, the French sports weekly which has run the award since 1956.

MORE: Everything you wanted to know about the Ballon d’Or

Sporting News will be following the Ballon d’Or event and announcements as they happen, providing live updates, the latest rankings and the most interesting reaction throughout the day.

Updated Ballon d’Or final results

Ballon d’Or awards — live updates

All times ET

2:05 p.m.: It’s no doubt a short trek for PSG star Kylian Mbappe, who’s walking the red carpet:

1:49 p.m.: It’s Robert Lewandowski’s arrival at the Théâtre du Châtelet:

1:06 p.m.: What is happening in Paris:

12:55 p.m.: If you’re a gala that matters, of course you have a red carpet:

12:52 p.m.: And so here are the players who will finish in the Top 10: Benzema, De Bruyne, Donnarumma, Jorginho, Kante, Lewandowski, Mbappe, Messi, Ronaldo, Salah. Not a bad bunch.

12:51 p.m.: Erling Haaland couldn’t break the Top 10! The media vote placed him at No. 11.

12:47 p.m.: Hmmm. That smile could easily come from someone who was notified that he won the award. And based on a New York Times interview with the France Football chief editor, the winner is in fact notified ahead of time.

12:46 p.m.: They’re coming in fast and furious now. Romelu Lukaku (No. 12) is two spots short of the top 10 after a spectacular 2021.

12:44 p.m.: It’s only right that Giorgio Chiellini would be right there alongside Leonardo Bonucci in the Ballon d’Or standings. They’re inseparable. Chiellini comes in at No. 13.

12:42 p.m.: In addition to coming in at No. 24 in the men’s Ballon d’Or voting, Pedri is also up for the Kopa trophy as top young player. He’s also in Paris:

12:34 p.m.: Another Italian player with the Euro 2021 bump is Leonardo Bonucci. Surprise entry at No. 14.

12:21 p.m.: Next Man City star: Raheem Sterling. Ranked ahead of Mahrez, Foden and Dias at No. 15.

12:16 p.m.: Neymar finished a ways away from the Top 5 with voters placing him No. 16.

12:04 p.m.: Atletico Madrid and Uruguay’s Luis Suarez is announced at No. 17. He was one of Atletico’s most important players in its run to the La Liga title.

11:59 a.m.: A surprise finish for AC Milan and Denmark defender Simon Kjaer at No. 18. His 2021 was marked by more than just football.

11:55 a.m.: Another Premier League player in the Top 20: Chelsea’s Mason Mount, who’s just getting started at age 22.

11:34 a.m.: The latest Man City player Riyad Mahrez clocks in at No. 20.

11:31 a.m.: Another tie in the votes between Bruno Fernandes (Man United) and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) for 21st place.

11:13 a.m.: Harry Kane (Tottenham) has had a quiet start to the 2021-22 season and comes in at No. 23. Interesting to imagine how a summer move could have impacted his place.

10:59 a.m.: Phil Foden is hoping for a big 2022, but he’s in at No. 25 for the 2021 rankings. Also, not bad for a Ballon d’Or debut for Barcelona’s Pedri, who comes in at No. 24.

10:58 a.m.: We got a drop of three players tied for No. 26 in the voting: Ruben Dias (Man City), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) and Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan).

10:36 a.m.: The two players finishing bottom in the men’s Ballon d’Or voting were revealed. It’s two vets: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) and 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric (Real Madrid) are tied for last.

How to watch 2021 Ballon d’Or

• Date: Monday, Nov. 29
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET (red carpet at 1 p.m. ET)
• TV channel: None
• Streaming: Paramount+, L’Equipe

The 2021 Ballon d’Or winners will be announced at a gala in Paris on Monday, Nov. 29. The event will be streamed live on Paramount+ in the USA. The red carpet coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET.

French sports daily L’Equipe will also carry the live broadcast on its channels (availability based on region).

How does voting for the Ballon d’Or work?

The France Football editorial staff compiles the shortlist of finalists for each award before distributing it to voters with voting closing on Oct. 24.

A panel of 180 journalists around the world was asked to vote (via a secure email system) based on criteria including individual and team performance in 2021, the player’s talent and sportsmanship, and the player’s overall career.

MORE: Ronaldo wants to beat out Messi for career Ballon d’Or trophies

About 40 to 50 women’s football journalists vote on the women’s Ballon d’Or, while 32 former men’s Ballon d’Or winners vote for the best Under-21 men’s player (Kopa Trophy).

Each voter for the Ballon d’Or (men and women) voted for their top five and each vote carried a points total: 

• 1st place: 6 points
• 2nd place: 4 points
• 3rd place: 3 points
• 4th place: 2 points
• 5th place: 1 point

Voters for the Kopa Trophy and Yashin Trophy submitted a top three and that points system works slightly differently: 

• 1st place: 5 points
• 2nd place: 3 points
• 3rd place: 1 point

The voting results will be published in the Dec. 4 edition of weekly publication France Football.

Who are the Ballon d’Or finalists?

There are 30 names for the men’s award, 20 for the women’s Ballon d’Or and 10 each for the Kopa and Yashin trophies.

2021 Ballon d’Or — Men

2021 Ballon d’Or — Women

2021 Kopa Trophy finalists

2021 Yashin Trophy finalists

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