The prestigious Ballon d’Or award ceremony will see equal representation for male and female players for the first time in its history, organisers announced on Monday.
Scheduled for September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the revamped ceremony will include six awards each for male and female footballers, with new honours introduced for women’s achievements in the sport.
The newly added awards include Best Women’s Goalkeeper, Best Young Women’s Player, and Top Women’s Scorer — aligning the total with their male counterparts.
France Football magazine and UEFA, co-organisers of the event, confirmed that the Socrates Award — given for humanitarian efforts and solidarity initiatives — remains open to all genders.
Last year’s ceremony was marred by controversy after Real Madrid boycotted the event in protest of Vinicius Junior being overlooked for the top men’s prize, which was awarded to Manchester City’s Rodri.
The 2024 edition aims to foster inclusivity and recognise excellence in both men’s and women’s football on an equal footing.
