• Real Madrid believe Vinícius will not win men’s award
• Barcelona’s Bonmatí is favourite for women’s prize
• Any thoughts? Email Niall or send a message via X

Here’s more on the day’s big news, and the 30-player long lists which were announced in September. The countdowns have begun, so we’ll bring you the latest asap …

Ballon d’Or. Ballon d’Or! Ballon d’Or!!! … Ballon d’Or? Ballon d’Or?! Ballon d’Or??? The biggest night in football for those who refuse to accept that this is fundamentally a team sport, and that every player on earth (yes, even Cristiano Ronaldo) would swap it to win the World Cup, is here – but before the ceremony in Paris has even kicked off, there’s been big drama.