France Football, the organization behind the esteemed Ballon d’Or awards, is implementing a significant change in their protocol for announcing the winner this year.

As excitement mounts for the Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for October 28, a new regulation will modify how the winner is notified. In past editions, the winner was interviewed by France Football prior to the event, which allowed them to be informed of their victory ahead of time.

However, as reported by Mario Cortegana, a correspondent for The Athletic, the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will only learn of their achievement when the envelope is opened live during the ceremony. With just over two weeks remaining, speculation is intensifying regarding who will claim football’s most prestigious individual accolade.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior is a strong contender, with many viewing him as the leading candidate following his outstanding performances last season, which contributed to Los Blancos winning both LaLiga and the Champions League. He will face stiff competition from prominent players such as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Rodri from Manchester City.