For months, the 2024 Ballon d'Or seemed to have a clear front-runner, with everyone anticipating the coronation of Vinícius Júnior as the new king of football.
France striker Kylian Mbappe went off nursing a shoulder injury as they beat Uruguay 1-0 with an Olivier Giroud penalty in a rematch of their World Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.
World Cup-winning Captain Lionel Messi received a king's welcome in Paris on Wednesday.
Here are the list of awards handed out after the FIFA World Cup
Both players have been timed among the fastest in the game, with top speeds of around 36.5kpm (22.6 mph), but it is how quickly they get there that makes them different.
IMAGES from football matches played across European Leagues on Saturday.
A round-up of Saturday's action in LaLiga, Ligue 1 and Serie A
'You're going to bring home the victory against this virus. You protect us, you care for us. So to help you, we stay home'
With a game in hand, Hansi Flick's Barca are top on 66 points, three ahead Real in second
The three match-ups which are likely to have a strong bearing on the result in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final.
Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz also struck for Real, to cancel out a double from City's Erling Haaland
Manager Carlo Ancelotti said striker Kylian Mbappe's decision to snub Real Madrid and stay at Paris St Germain was not a distraction ahead of Saturday's Champions League final
Mihaila late show for Romania stuns Swiss in thrilling draw
While the tournament saw the emergence of young stars, the usual suspects, the big names flattered to deceive.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich powered past third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 with an impressive display of high-pressing football on Sunday.
Holders France failed to qualify for the final four of the Nations League when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Croatia
Loic Perrin's rough tackle in the 26th put Kylian Mbappe out of the game.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, did not receive a nomination for the first time in 20 years.
IMAGES from the UEFA Champions League matches played on Wednesday
Real Madrid got their LaLiga title defence off to a limp start as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Mallorca.
France overcame a slow start to beat neighbours Belgium 2-0 for their first points of the Nations League campaign.
A summary of the concluding day's action in the German Cup, French Cup and La Liga.
This is the first time that PSG is featuring in the finals of the Champions League.
French football president apologises for 'awkward remarks' on Zidane after backlash
Barcelona forwards Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi fired the Catalans to a confidence-boosting 2-0 win at in-form Sevilla on Saturday to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
France and the Netherlands are level on four points at the top of the group standings, with Austria on three, while Poland have no points and cannot advance to the last 16.
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist.
Giroud, at 36, brings experience and guile to France's attack, while Mbappe, 23, is blessed with pace
Manchester City spent more than 180 million pounds ($223.58 million) -- more than the combined amount paid by the other 19 English top-flight clubs in a relatively quiet window.
Meet Google's Most Searched Sportspeople This Year.
Mbappe becomes PSG's all-time highest goal-scorer as French champions extend lead
France will look to keep their World Cup momentum going when they face Tunisia even though they have qualified for the knock-out stages, and coach Didier Deschamps will make changes for the game on Wednesday.
Images from the Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between France and Belgium, at Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany, on Monday.
Paris St Germain believe they can learn from their run to the Champions League final and become European champions after coming closer than ever in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.
Images from the Champions League semi-final first leg between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field on Thursday
Galtier said all other players returned as per the schedule and will be available for Wednesday's game, including France striker Kylian Mbappe.
And to think that the 24-year-old forward had nearly missed the World Cup bus.
Ciro Immobile scored a 69th-minute penalty to earn hosts Lazio a 1-0 victory over 10-man Bayern Munich.
A round-up of Saturday's action in LaLiga, Ligue 1 and Serie A.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances