Overview

• The 69th Ballon d'Or gala will be held on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet, with red carpet coverage at 2 p.m. ET and the ceremony at 3 p.m. ET on Paramount+ in the United States.
• Press consensus and betting markets rate PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé as the frontrunner after a treble-winning season, with Barcelona’s 18-year-old Lamine Yamal widely viewed as his closest challenger.
• PSG’s Ligue 1 match at Marseille was pushed to Monday due to weather, and reports indicate Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha will miss the gala, while Dembélé’s attendance remains uncertain.
• Multiple outlets report Ronaldinho is likely to present the main trophy, though organizers have not issued official confirmation.
• France Football’s 30-man shortlist includes a large PSG contingent following their Champions League win, and the ceremony will also present the Kopa, Yashin, Gerd Müller, Johan Cruyff, Club of the Year and Socrates awards.